Chapter Six

Forgotten Unforgivables

So deep that it didn't even bleed and catch me
Off guard, red handed
Now I'm far from lonely
Asleep I still see you lying next to me
So deep that it didn't even bleed and catch me I..

I need something else
Would someone please just give me
Hit me, knock me out
And let me go back to sleep
I can laugh
All I want inside I still am empty
So deep that it didn't even bleed and catch me I...

I'll be just fine
Pretending I'm not
I'm far from lonely
and it's all that I've got

-The Used, All That I've Got

He lay still for a little while, clutching his stomach tighter and attempting to restrain the tears from falling that were now forming rapidly in his eyes. He wished that they'd turn away, not star at him like he was some sort of animal on display at the zoo, yet they wouldn't. Draco Malfoy, the dickhead that had made their lives hell was now sticking up for them and taking the blame, great job you moron!

The room was emptying around him, following in his mothers footsteps and leaving behind the scum child of Lucius Malfoy. He wanted her here with him, no; he needed her here with him. Only they knew what Lucius was truly like, what he'd do if he was given the right support and the right power to back him up.

"D-Draco, are you –?" A familiar voice trailed around inside his head.

Before he'd realised what was happening he'd told them to fuck off. He gripped hold of his stomach tighter, in full realisation that his tears were now falling down his face. A head of bushy hair and pale skin burst into his vision and suddenly he realised that the pain had gone.

"Granger, I thought I told you to –"

"Look Malfoy, I am not exactly your ideal friend, but I think I just saved your life, the least you could do is show some courtesy to us!"

He looked up into her face, "I told you to fuck off you filthy Mudblood!"

Her eyes widened and suddenly filled with tears of pure rage. "Look, you can call me that as much as you like, it doesn't hurt me anymore!" she slapped him across the face where his mother's hand mark was still glowing pink. "Your mother was right… you are more Malfoy than Black, you truly are your –"

A rustling noise from somewhere behind them alerted their attention. "Hermione don't, it's not his fault, don't ask me how it's happened, but he's been put under some form of the Imperius Curse."

She flung herself at the bed, tears leaking down her face. Why, why had she been so stupid? He was too alike his father from the moment he was born. He looked like him, walked like him, talked like him and even acted in the same way he did, and yet she had seen something inside of him. After his first year at his boarding school, he had changed, ever so slightly, and year after year he kept growing stronger and more powerful and suddenly she had realised that her son was not, in fact so much like his father as she had first thought. Well, until tonight.

But then again, his life and Lucius' had never truly been separate, she had never really understood why. Why was it that the moment she found out that she was having a child, Lucius was not fazed, but acted as though he already knew? Or, why, after Draco was born and taken to his Name Ceremony with all the Black's and Malfoys and any other Pure Bloods Lucius could've rounded up, did he insist on taking him away for a few minutes? Draco had needed changing, he wasn't crying and he certainty hadn't needed feeding, all she had later been told was that one of Lucius' old friends from school had wanted to meet his son, and unfortunately, or was it fortunately, he had not liked crowds.

Why had she been so blind over these years? That 'friend' must have been the Dark Lord, it had to have been. He would've done something to him, her perfectly pure baby boy and turned him against everything she had believed in. Not that her views would've meant anything to anyone. She was the pathetic Black sister. Andromeda hadn't cared who she loved, didn't care what anyone had though about her, and she was the metamorphagus Bellatrix was the most powerful, she could do amazing things even without her wand and that, she knew, had only been taught to her because she was part of the Dark Lord's most powerful and most prized. But Narcissa, the pretty one, she had everyone falling at her feet, but that was about it. Her beauty was her curse, that was always the only thing she seemed to be able to offer the world, and then Lucius came along and fell in love with her, like most men tended to do.

But Lucius had never really seemed like the others at first, she really thought that he'd love her forever, that he loved the person inside, rather than the pretty one she was on the outside. But once they were married, Lucius showed his true allegiance, proving that he loved the Dark Lord more than his own wife, and suddenly she'd realised that she wished she'd gone down the same path as Andromeda, at least she wouldn't have to watch those she cared for die around her, watch them suffer, watch the pain and torture that was bound to happen.

But no one spared her.

Draco sat still clenching his stomach and did not move like the others. They had all started, turned to face Harry, ran to him, hugged him, told him how they had all been incredibly worried about his visions of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Saint Potter, the one that everyone loves, what's so special about him? Draco thought, trying not to feel like the child trapped inside.

"Don't fuss," Harry said, pushing Hermione's hand away from him and dragging his covers off of him. "Someone get Dumbledore."

"But Harry…"

"No, buts, I know Dumbledore wants to talk to me, I heard him and besides, Malfoy needs help, he's in pain and it's like no one cares."

"Well, they don't," said Ron.

Harry swung his legs out of his bed as Hermione began to fuss again telling him he needed rest and should stay in bed. "Ron, the guy's had a screwed up life – don't you roll your eyes at me! – For God sakes, he caught his dad r–"

"Shut it Potter," Draco rasped, his hands massaging his stomach. "I told you never to speak of that!"

Harry grinned, "There you go, you're fighting it now aren't you Draco, that stupid curse that your stupid dad put on you? I'm right aren't I?" Draco nodded, Ron gasped.

"You called Malfoy by his first name!"

"What's going on here? Miss Weasley came and found me to tell me that something had happened to Harry," Dumbledore spoke as he strode into the room, his purple cloak flowing behind him. His eyes fell on Harry, who was sitting on the edge of his bed, attempting to stand up and failing miserably, like his legs were fast asleep.

"Don't fuss over me Professor, Malfoy needs some help, he's under the Imperius curse."

"Is he now?" Dumbledore asked, turning his head to face the kneeling Draco. "Semper Libero!" The glazed look that had inhabited Draco's eyes disappeared and his grey eyes began to shine. "That was no Imperius Curse Harry that was something a lot more sinister. Draco, by any chance, as a child, that you were put under the Somnium Curse?"

Draco shrugged his shoulders. "I've never even heard of it."

"No," Dumbledore said, "a lot of people haven't. It was a curse used around the time of the Hogwarts Founders' time. Along with the one, I believe Mr. Thomas used against you?" Draco nodded yet Dumbledore did not turn his head to shout at Dean. "These two curses, the Four Circles and the Somnium, are both very powerful Dark Magic that many believe dead to the world of magic, but, as your father has shown and young Dean has, they are not."

"Professor, may I ask, how was Dean able to use the curse? Lucius Malfoy's a grown man, and a Death Eater at that, but –" Hermione stopped and looked at Dean, "– Dean, clearly is neither."

"I've never done it before, only heard of it through Seamus. My anger just lost control though and I, said the words and that happened," he said, nodding his head in Draco's direction.

"Very well Mr. Thomas. Draco, are you able to stand?" Dumbledore asked as Draco got to his feet shakily, grabbing hold of Dumbledore's arm tightly to stop him from swaying. "Harry, get yourself back into bed and I will come along and talk to you once I have taken Draco to his mother, and I think, explained a few things."

"Okay Professor," Harry spoke, swinging his legs back up on the bed and pulled his covers beck over his now, highly pale feet.

There was a soft nock on the door, and she hurried to wipe away the pearly tears that were falling down her face. "C-come in," she muttered.

The door opened and Dumbledore stood silhouetted against the afternoon sunshine, a figure clinging desperately to his sleeve, swaying a little. "Mum?" the person next to Dumbledore said.

"I told you Albus, he is no son of mine!"

"He did not do that curse Narcissa, he took the blame for Mr. Thomas," Dumbledore began to explain, "a very noble thing to do if you ask me."

"Is this true Draco?"

"Yes."

Within a flash she was holding her son in a tight grip, "Oh my baby, I am so, so sorry!" She stroked his hair, her tears pouring in to the fairness.

"It's 'kay mum, really, it is," he whispered soothingly, biting back his very own tears.

The next few weeks went by quickly, Harry, Ron, Ginny, Draco, Dean and Hermione played Quidditch in the spacious Drawing room, after Hermione had bewitched the book cases in to six golden hoops, three at each end. Fred and George had been too busy at their joke sop to stay for too long but every now and then, they joined in the matches and attempting to hex Draco, but only hitting Ron instead.

By the time the morning of September 1st had come, everyone had packed their things and by half past ten, they were all standing at the very beginning of Grimmauld Place, trunks packed, owls in cages and cats in their travel baskets. They all clambered in to the two Ministry cars that Fudge had allowed them and they were at Kings Cross with fifteen minutes to spare.

Once they had all gone through the barrier on to Platform 9¾ (each in groups of three) they found themselves staring in front of a rather packed platform. They walked up to the end carriage, having said their good-byes to Draco before heading through the barrier.

They walked off to where he saw Neville and Luna standing together, Neville's grandmother and Luna's father in deep conversation about Crumple-Horned Snorlax.

"Hi Harry, Ron, Hermione," Neville said, his round face breaking into a grin.

"Hello Neville, hi Luna, how was the search for the Crumple-Horned Snorlack's?" Harry replied, grinning back at Neville.

"We found them!" she shouted, as though she had been bursting for someone to ask.

"R-really?" Hermione answered, a look of shock spreading over her face.

"Yep! My dad's letting me keep one as a pet. We're famous for discovering them! Isn't that wonderful?" her face was broken into such a sincere smile that they found themselves unable to say no.

They made their way into the neatest compartment, dragging their belongings onto the train after them and, once done, they went outside and began to say their good-byes to Mr and Mrs Weasley. Neville gave his grandmother a hug and she returned it, giving him a kiss on the cheek and Luna ran to her dad, wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezed tightly, he kissed his gently on the forehead before she turned around and sailed dreamily into the compartment. Mrs Weasley hugged each of them in turn, while Mr Weasley shook Ron's, Harry's and Dean's hands before kissing Ginny and Hermione on the cheek.

"Quick, quick, you can't miss the train!" Mrs Weasley shouted ushering them on and slamming the door behind them.

"Bye Mrs Weasley, Mr Weasley, thanks for everything!" Harry bellowed back, Hermione quickly followed along with Dean.

"Bye Mum, Dad, see you at Christmas!" Ginny yelled out.

"Yeah, see you soon!" Ron echoed waving his had hand out of the window as the train began to move.

"Bye children! Stay safe, whatever you do!"

Ron and Hermione left for the Prefects' carriage at the front of the train once they had begun moving and Dean and Ginny left to find Seamus. Harry began to discuss Quidditch with Neville, while Luna sat petting her Crumple-Horned Snorlack.

At quarter past eleven, whilst Harry was in full swing explaining to Neville what he would be doing with the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, the door to their compartment slid open and a very pretty girl with curly brown hair that Harry had never seen before, stood in the door way. "Do you mind if I come in here, there aren't any compartments left?"

"Er, yeah, sure," Harry said, a little dumbfounded. Neville looked up to greet the newcomer, only for his mouth to drop wide open.

"Thanks," she said, sitting down by Luna, who had not taken her gaze away from her Crumple-Horned Snorlack. She smiled at the two boys and her inky blue black eyes shone. Her skin shimmered in the weak sunlight from outside and her hair was bouncing in its ringlets that framed her face, a white headband pulling strands away from her face, but leaving her cute fringe where it was supposed to be. "Danielle Parker," she told the two boys holding her hand out in front of her to no one in particular.

Harry took it in his own and shook it gently, "Ha-Harry Potter," he said, still shocked as to how he'd never noticed someone this pretty before.

She smiled the yes-I-do-know-who-you-are smile and moved her hand so that it was in front of Neville who took and shook it weakly. "Ne-Ne-Neville L-L-Longbottom," he stuttered.

Her smile dropped slightly, even though it was very unnoticeable. She turned to face Luna. "So, who are you?" she asked, poking her hand under Luna's nose.

She looked up, a shocked expression pouring over her face. "I'm Luna Lovegood, who the hell are you?"

"Danielle Parker," she told her, a hint of annoyance in her tone of voice. She dropped her hand and took her bag off her shoulder and placed it on the seat beside her.

"I don't mean to be rude, but, I've never seen you before…" Harry began, but she cut over him.

"I don't doubt that. This is my first year at Hogwarts."

"But, you aren't eleven!" Harry exclaimed, deep set shock now inhabiting his features.

"No, I'm not, I'm sixteen. I've been attending Flaxtran's for the last ten years of my life, but my godfather thought it was wise to stay at Hogwarts with him this year," she explained, opening her bag and pulling out a packet of Honeydukes MasterMallows.

"Who's your godfather?" Luna asked.

"Albus Dumbledore."

Harry spat out the mouthful of water he had just sipped. "What was that?"

"Albus Dumbledore's my godfather why is that so outrageous?" she now had a look of shock on her face, but this time it was mingled with slight disgust because Harry had just spat his water all over her. "Do you always spit over your new acquaintances?"

Harry blushed as he pointed his wand at Danielle and uttered the charm that created a shoot of steam to evaporate the water. "I'm sorry," he said, but she smiled at him.

"Ah, don't worry about it mate, it was nothin'," Danielle said, a slight cockney accent suddenly appearing, Harry raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

A little while later, Harry and Danielle where talking animatedly about Quidditch and how Harry had managed to win Gryffindor House Captaincy and how Danielle was a keen Chaser and had been awarded a place, once she'd finished her schooling in England's Under-Twenty-One's team.

At half past twelve, Ron and Hermione found them, and after introducing themselves, found that they too had a lot in common with the new girl; she was a Chudly Cannon's supporter much to Ron's delight and she had read all the same books as Hermione and had enjoyed them just as much.

It turned out that Danielle would be taking the same subjects as Harry and Ron as, she told them, both her parents had been Aurors and she too had the burning desire to follow in their footsteps. But, on the mention of her parents she fell silent and the others took this as her way of saying 'don't bring them up again at the moment'.

"So, Danielle, what's Flaxtran's like? I've read a lot about it and I know there are a few people at Hogwarts that went there for their primary education and I think it's fascinating!" Hermione asked breaking the uncomfortable silence that had engulfed the compartment.

"Oh, it's really cool, you know, we just get taught simple stuff when were young and we get taught how to fly broomsticks and stuff and then, when we enter our secondary education we're all at the same level. A few of my friends and me we're almost at third year standard when we were eleven. So they just put you through your paces at a younger age."

"You were at third year standard when we were in our first year?" Harry exclaimed looking shocked.

"Yeah, we were only taught basics and then everything was built on gradually. So when we entered our first year we went back over stuff and added to it and all that. They do only take on certain people for the secondary years. It's usually only pure blooded children but my group of friends were all half blood so its not exactly a major thing, as long as they get the money they aren't too bothered who they take on," she told them, Hermione's face became slightly stony but she did not say anything.

"I remember Bill had a friend from there once. Well they had gone to the primary schooling then went to Hogwarts, but how much is it because I remember Fred and George asking to go and mum and dad couldn't afford it?" Ron asked.

"I don't pay for it myself but I think that it's about a thousand galleons per term," she said in a matter of fact tone, pulling out a red lolly from her bag. "Anyone want one?"

"A thousand Galleons?" Ron asked, his mouth dropping open. "Per term!" she nodded and everyone looked at her.

"Did Dumbledore pay for you?" Luna asked.

"Well he's my legal guardian so I guess so, unless my parents left him the money for it but I have never been told," she said, pulling the wrapper off the lolly and sticking it in her mouth.

"Can I have one?" Neville asked, "Please?"

"Yeah sure, what flavour?" she asked pulling out an assortment of different, brightly coloured spherical sweets on white sticks. He took an orange one and muttered his thanks as she moved them to each of the people in the room, waving them under their noses.

"You are one really lucky girl you know that?" Hermione asked, picking a purple lolly, taking off its wrapper and sticking it in her mouth. "Not many people get a chance to be taught from such a young age and such skill at that."

"Yeah I know, if my parents had been alive I would've attended it until I was old enough for Hogwarts, I've been told that countless of times but you know, things didn't –" But the compartment door slid open and Draco stood in the doorway, Crabbe, Goyal and Pansy Parkinson standing behind him.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Potty, Weasel, Loony, Longbottom and the Mudblood," said Draco, his usual sneer back in place as though the summer had never happened. His gaze completely bypassed Danielle.

"Shove off Malfoy!" Ron proclaimed, pulling out his wand.

"Draco?" Danielle asked looking up at the blonde haired boy. His eyes slid to the owner of the voice.

"Danielle?"

"Merlin's Beard it is you!" she said, jumping up and throwing her arms around his neck. "I haven't seen you in what, six years?" she continued, pushing him away so she could see him better.

"My God that's a long time," he told her, a smile on his face. Pansy Parkinson's face was suddenly more angry bull-like than pug-like. Her wand was out of her robes within an instant and was pointing it between Danielle's eyes.

"Get your filthy Mudblood hands off him!" she hissed, sparks flying from her wand grazing Danielle's forehead threateningly.

"Excuse me, where the hell do you get off calling me a Mudblood, Blood scum?" Danielle screamed, pushing Draco out of the way.

"Blood scum?" shrieked Pansy.

"Yeah, you are!"

"Erm, maybe you should just calm down Danielle," Harry said in a serene tone, although it failed quite miserably.

"You wouldn't dare call me a Mudblood if you knew who I was, who my family were!" she shrieked, as Draco flung his arms out to restrain her from lunging at Pansy.

"Really, who would that be? I bet you're going to tell me that you're related to Merlin or something?"

"Are you mocking me?" Danielle asked throwing Draco aside letting her wand drop down her sleeve and she pointed it at Pansy.

"So what if I am?"

"I wouldn't Pansy, she hexed my arm off when she was eight," said Draco, rubbing his shoulder where Danielle had just thrown him into the wall of the compartment.

"Really?" said Ron, a smile breaking over his face. "Oh my God, she's my new best friend!"

"What the hell is all this commotion about?" asked Remus Lupin as he strolled up toward the fight between the two girls. He took one look at Pansy and Danielle, smiled slightly and then said, "Ten points from Slytherin for fighting Miss Parkinson and, well Miss –" he hesitated slightly, looking as though he was about to say another name and then corrected himself, " –Parker, I do believe you haven't been Sorted yet, is that right?"

"Yes Remus," the words were out of her mouth before she could restrain herself.

"That will be Professor Lupin or Sir when we get back to school Danielle, and when, your House has been decided then I believe that ten points from that House should be taken for fairness."

"Yes Re- I mean Professor," she said flushing pink.

He made to turn away but stopped and gave her a quick look, "You know, whatever anyone else says Danielle, no matter how much you look like the double of your mother, you truly are you fathers daughter."

"Thanks Remus," she said a grin spreading over her face as he raised an eyebrow at her and walked out of the compartment.