The Ballad of Love
By fashionista malfoy
Chapter 2 : On bended knees
It was a cold and chilly night at Grimmauld Place. A middle-aged man, muffled by thick clothing, dashed across the street and on to the pavement. All that he wanted to do was to return home to his family and warm-up near the fireplace. The man passed by house number ten, eleven, and then hurried up the stone steps to his home; number thirteen. The sudden odd jump from number eleven to number thirteen had always puzzled the residents of Grimmauld Place. However, as mere muggles, they failed to notice that house number twelve had stood in between number eleven and number thirteen for centuries.
A normal street rat scurried across the creaking floorboards of number twelve, pausing every now and then to sniff the air in search of food. It soon ended up in a dark room but the darkness did not bother the little critter. All of the sudden, it stopped instinctively. The rat's eyes were fixed on a figure of a human boy, laying on his side with cords tied around his wrists and ankles, the knots looked impossible to undo. He appeared to be unconscious. The rat gave a surprise squeak and left the room in a mad scramble when the boy's eyes snapped open without warning.
Draco groaned softly as he felt his head pounding hard. However, that was the least of his worries. His stomach dropped when he found himself tied up in an unfamiliar room. Did Voldermort captured me again? No... He began struggling in hope to free himself but his efforts were wasted. Swearing furiously under his breath, Draco pushed himself up into a sitting position and leaned back on the nearest wall. Damnit! I don't have time for this. They must have taken my wand... Accio wand! Accio wand!
But no wand zoomed in sight. Draco breathed deeply; he felt drained. He had no idea where he was or how much time had passed. All he could recall was escaping from Snape's house and into Hogsmeade. There, every door he knocked on gave no response and everywhere he searched, he could not find a broom. The place was pretty much deserted. That was all he could remember before waking up in this very room. No doubt someone had brought him here. But who?
His question was soon answered.
The door blasted open. Draco was blinded by the bright light coming from outside. Three figures entered the room but he couldn't make out who they were. He heard the door shut behind them and a murmur of faint "Lumos". The blond found himself staring at three glows of light. Once his vision cleared sufficiently, he looked up at the owners of the wands.
"You!" he gasped.
Draco found himself staring at the faces on his enemies, the people he least wanted to see at the moment. He gritted his teeth as his temper began to rise. He had urgent matters to attend to. He had no time to play prisoner with Potty, Weasel and the Mudblood. "Why did you bring me here?" he demanded with much disdain.
"Shut it Malfoy!" Harry snapped. "You're in no position to speak! In a short while, you'll be sent to Azkaban."
"Yeah," said Ron, his face showing disgust. "You'll be joining your daddy soon."
Draco let out a short, humorless laugh, "You think that I'll never be able to breakout of Azkaban? There's no Dementors guarding there Weasel. Last I heard, those imprisoned Deatheaters are already planning their escape. You think a mere jinx would hold against the Dark Arts? You lot better be careful. They want revenge."
Ron's wand hand shook with fury. He wanted to hurt Draco so badly.
"Harry! Ron! Hermione! Step aside please," Remus Lupin, looking wary than ever, stepped into the room. He looked as though he had just got out of a battlefield. His left arm was heavily bandaged and his face was covered with scars. Nymphadora Tonks, whose hair was jet black and tied in a low ponytail, was at his heels. Since she had been busy with her duties as an Auror, she looked worn out and a little bit ill. "I thought I told you three to not go near Draco Malfoy."
"Yes, but he was trying to conjure his wand," reasoned Hermione. "We decided to check on him so he wouldn't escape."
"Very well," Lupin sighed, not wanting to start an argument. His turned his attention to Draco, examining him with a mixed expression on his face. "Draco Malfoy. Fate had certainly guided us to such an odd place for a meeting I reckon. I must say, you don't look like yourself today." His tone of voice sounded like he was greeting an old friend who had come to visit for tea.
"I can't say the same for you Lupin," Draco spat. "What's the matter? Not getting along with your werewolves mates?"
Harry took a step forward but Lupin held out his uninjured arm to hold him back. "It's alright Harry." However, his eyes grew colder. "Now let's get to the point shall we? The things you did Draco, were unforgivable. I understand why you did this. You fear that the Dark Lord will hurt you and your family-"
"No!" shouted Draco abruptly, struggling feverishly with the ropes. "I'm not afraid of Voldermort!"
Ron winced, though he tried hard to control it.
"Then why did you do it? Why did you bring in Deatheaters into Hogwarts? Why did you put your friends and schoolmates in danger?"
"It's none of your business!"
"Is it not?" Lupin started to pace in front of Draco, looking deep in thoughts. "He was going to kill both your parents if you refuse to obey orders. If you do not fear the Dark Lord, you would have taken your mother with you and escape. Your father is perfectly safe in Azkaban-"
Draco scoffed, "I know where you're going. You want me to join the right side. You'll protect my family. I've heard this before. The old man told me-"
"It's Professor Dumbledore to you," Harry spoke up loudly.
"What's the difference? The old man's dead-"
Five jet of lights blasted across the room and struck Draco hard. He immediately fell frozen to the ground and an echoing silence hung in the air. Tonks let out a small cough and hastily pocketed her wand, "Sorry, lose control. Well, that was a nice chat."
"Indeed," sighed Lupin. "Let's all head to the kitchen. I expect Arthur and Molly will be arriving soon. I'd fancy a cup of tea."
Harry, Ron and Hermione watched as Lupin and Tonks exited the room.
"Is it just me or is Lupin turning to Dumbledore?" asked Harry.
"Maybe Dumbledore's spirit took over his body!" said Ron.
"Don't be ridiculous Ron!" Hermione scowled deeply. "Anyway, what are we going to do with him? Someone's got to lift the spell off. He'll die if it's not done in a day."
Ron looked at Hermione as though she had gone mental, "Don't you want him dead? Let him die-- Oww! What did you do that for? Alright, fine! You can lift the spell off him later! Right now, I'd fancy a cup of tea! Wha--? I don't sound stupid!"
Harry shook his head and tried to hold back a chuckle as his two best friends bickered all the way into the kitchen. There, the kettle was already put of the stove and a plate of chocolate éclairs was served on the table. Ron took a chocolate éclair with one hand and pulled out a chair with the other. He slumped on his seat as he took a huge bite.
Harry looked away and turned to Lupin, "Is it really necessary that Malfoy joins our side?"
"Harry, we've discussed this before-"
"I know! But this is Malfoy we're talking about! He's dangerous! Look what he did-"
"Heeh amosh keeh aush!" Ron tried to speak but his mouth was so full that bits of food came flying out.
"Ron!" said Hermione sharply. "Really!"
Lupin planted himself on the nearest chair and messaged his temples, "Harry, you're the one who told me that Dumbledore himself wanted that boy to join us. Draco wanted to didn't he?"
"Yeah, but-"
"What if he betrays us and joins back with Voldermort?" said Hermione, sipping her tea slowly and trying her very best to ignore Ron.
Harry beamed at Hermione, grateful for her support, "There you go! See?"
"In a war, we need as many people as possible to join our side," said Tonks, taking a seat herself. "In a war, people are confused. They don't know what's wrong or right. That is why we need to win them over. One can only be stronger if there is support. Look at Voldermort. He got the support of Deatheaters, Werewolves, Dementors, Giants! I fear to even think of the numbers going over to his side. But that Draco is just one person. Who cares right? Well, I do. Even if I'm losing, even if I'm dying, knowing that there's someone who believes in me, who supports me, really makes it all worthwhile."
Silence fell, neither one knew what to say. Suddenly, the sound of the doorbell was heard and ear-splitting screeches filled the house. "THE STENCH OF MUDBLOODS, BLOOD TRAITORS AND HALF-BREEDS! FILTHS! SCUMS! FREAKS!"
Lupin, Tonks and Harry quickly headed to answer the door, not wanting to go near the portrait of Mrs Black. Hermione, who was used to this, stood up promptly and beckoned Ron to follow her. He was the only one left since he was chocking on his chocolate éclair. With an enormous effort, both of them managed to shut the curtains.
"Hello Ron, Hermione," Mrs Weasley greeted them, her voice was not as warm as it used to be. "Nice to see you again. Shall we go to the kitchen?"
"That's it? No hugs?" Ron whispered to Hermione, both of them following Mrs Weasley down to the kitchen. "She's being too formal. Something is definitely wrong."
"Please take a seat everyone," said Mr Weasley with much urgency in his voice. "I've got some news. A few hours ago, Alastor happened to stumble upon Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy in a pub located a few miles away from the Malfoy Manor. They were having a drink but nobody recognized them since they went through the trouble of transfiguring themselves. However, no one could fool Alastor. He said Narcissa was in tears and she was begging her sister not to kill her son. Apparently, you-know-who had given out orders to his followers that if they happened to find Draco Malfoy, he was to be killed. Of course, Greyback was more than happy to carry out this task."
"Does this mean that Malfoy had run away?" asked Harry.
"Yes," said Mr Weasley curtly.
"Why?" Ron questioned.
"I think only Draco himself can answer that," said Mrs Weasley.
"I bet they were looking for Malfoy at the Manor," Hermione spoke up. "If Greyback is searching for Malfoy then he-"
"Don't worry Hermione dear, it's perfectly safe here," Mrs Weasley reassured her. "The question is, what are we going to do with him? Azkaban is definitely out of the question right now. We can't set him free... he'll get killed!"
"And that is a problem because...?" But Ron shut his mouth after receiving a glare from his mother.
Tonks rose from her seat, "Let's talk to him shall we?"
The group exited from the kitchen and headed towards the room. The door was opened.
"KREACHER! STAY AWAY FROM HIM!" Harry shouted, and once again Mrs Black's screaming was heard.
Kreacher was standing near Draco. Hermione quickly dashed into the room and stepped in between them. The house-elf started saying something but what was said nobody knew because his voice couldn't be heard over the screaming. When silence fell again, Harry marched in the room and glowered down on his house-elf.
"I forbid you to help or interact with Draco Malfoy in anyway! Do you understand me?" Harry demanded.
Kreacher glared but he bowed low, "Certainly Master."
"Now go upstairs and punish yourself."
With another bow, Kreacher obediently left the room and went up the stairs, pushing passed Ron on the way.
"Harry, I can't believe you told Kreacher to punish himself! You're part of SPEW!" hissed Hermione.
"Drop it," said Harry firmly.
Tonks wordlessly waved her hand over Draco and soon, he was returned back to normal. He started coughing and gasping for air.
"Do I want to know what happened?" asked Mrs Weasley. Nobody answer. "Well, I'd thought so."
Draco got into a sitting position once again and glared at the people who were staring at him, "What now?"
"We know that you're on the run. I don't know how to say this but they're out to kill you," said Tonks. "Your mother and Bellatrix Lestrange had gone to your Manor to search for you. I expect Fenrir Greyback to be doing the same too-"
"WHAT!" Draco shouted, his eyes showing fear for the first time. "Greyback at my home? No... He can't! I need to go back!"
"Why--?"
"THERE'S NO TIME TO EXPLAIN! I NEED TO GO BACK HOME! THIS IS IMPORTANT!"
"FILTHS! BLOOD TRAITORS! MUDBLOODS! HALF-BREEDS! HOW DARE THOSE SCUMS TORTURE A PUREBLOOD--" Mr and Mrs Weasley hurried out of the room to shut the curtains.
"What kind of place is this?" muttered Draco after the screaming had stopped.
"Why do you need to go home?" Lupin questioned, sounding curious.
Draco gritted his teeth. He had vowed never to tell anyone. But in a situation like this, he had no choice. "Nobody knew about this but... I have a sister. She's at home now... I need to get to her. That's why I ran away. I have to protect her."
Everyone started at Draco.
Mrs Weasley's face expressed disbelief, "No... that can't be true... It's forbidden... A Malfoy... Sister... No..."
"It's the truth!" Draco growled. "I have a sister! Let me get back home!"
"Arthur... Lupin... Tonks... you don't think? It's impossible-"
"Molly," Mr Weasley placed a hand on her shoulder.
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked up at the adults questioningly.
"Please," Draco whispered, his head bowed. "Please... I'm begging you... Allow me to go back home and get my sister... I'll do anything you want... Please... Just... let me get to my sister..."
End of Chapter 2! I'm so sorry for not posting Chapter 2 earlier! My computer broke down and my files got deleted... I've been really busy and everything... I know... excuses, excuses... I hope I can post chapter 3 as soon as possible! I know it's not much of D/Hr but I promise you there will be some in the next chapter! Don't forget to review! To all anonymous reviewers, please sign in and review! That way, I can thank you guys properly!
- fashionista malfoy signing off!