Wow... two chapters in a day, this must be a world record for me. Ok, well this chapter is from Draco's PoV. Enjoy!


Chapter 8: Joining the Order

Draco's fist collided with the wall, and he cursed loudly when the rough stone broke his skin. His knuckles bleeding, he quickly wrapped his hand up with a shirt he found lying on the floor. Hopefully no one would miss it too much. Why had he said those things to her? He had acted just like his father would have wanted him to. It didn't matter how far away Lucious Malfoy was located, he still seemed to have a hold on Draco. Lucious had spies in the school watching him, he was sure of that. Pansy and her family had been puppets to his father from the beginning.Well, hewasn't going to let that happen to him.

Sinking into his bed, Draco inhaled deeply. The blanket still smelled like Ginny from the last time they had gone star gazing, the last time he had really gotten a chance just to hold her in his arms. That memory seemed so bittersweet now. He knew he had made a mistake. He needed Ginny more than ever now, but why was he so confused? With the upcoming war's rising heat, he knew he had an important decision to make tonight. He needed someone to talk to, but his fellow Slytherin's weren't worth wasting his breath on. Dumbledore… He looked at the grandfather clock to the left of the room, it was 11: 58, well the Headmaster had said anytime. He was tired of being controlled by his father, controlled by the fear. He couldn't go on resisting anymore he had to do something more, the time had come for him to fight back, to punish the cold, heartless man that continued to cause him pain.

Getting out of bed, Draco had a determined look on his face. No one was going to stop him.

" 'Ey Draco, did you know you got a shirt on your arm?" Crabe asked in his usual ignorant tone.

Why did he continue to surround himself with such idiotic people? "What do you think you stupid oaf?" Draco snapped angrily, slamming the door shut, waking up half the dorm room.

Entering the dank and dreary common room it was apparent that not everyone was sleeping. To his disgust he found Pansy and Goyle going at it on the couch. She must have been pretty desperate, but than again she would sell herself to just about anyone for a couple of Galleons. Well, at least she wouldn't be all over him anymore. "Get a room!" Draco spat, but they seemed oblivious of the fact that he was even there. God, he had to get out of here.

His head spinning, he made his way into the dungeon halls, careful not to make too much noise. Despite Dumbledore's statement, he doubted it would be worth much to Filch. Him and that damn cat of his would love to put his head on a stake, than again, Filch would jump at the chance to do that to anyone he caught roaming the castle after hours.

Draco was starting to get frustrated. He couldn't quite remember where the Headmaster's office was. Eventually. After circling the corridors, he found what he was looking for. The statue of the gargoyle; staring at it for moment he realized he didn't know the password. "Shit!" He cursed, kicking the statue. Suddenly it began to spin around to reveal a narrow passage way. Draco shrugged and walked through, curiously wondering why the statue had moved with his use of profanity.

As he came face to face with the office door, he had to admit that he was growing slightly nervous. Even Lucious Malfoy had had enough sense to fear Albus Dumbledore or he wouldn't have tried to hard to be rid of him. The thought of his father being afraid made him laugh softly to himself.

Draco knocked on the door and almost immediately a reply was made. "Come in Mr. Malfoy." How had he known he was coming? Shaking off the thought Draco opened the door and walked into the office. Recognizing the familiar portraits and gadgets surrounding the room, Draco remember that last time he had been here. Just before he had had an encounter with a familiar redhead. Her stunning red hair and her gorgeous freckled face.

"Yes Mr. Malfoy, what is it that you wanted to talk about?" Draco snapped back into reality, barely managing to keep his cool demeanor.

Draco knew exactly why he was here. "I want to join the Order."

Dumbledore looked over him considerably, a gleaming twinkle in his eyes. Well, I must express how wonderful it is to have you on our side, but may I ask what changed you're mind?"

"My father," Draco answered, a heavy anger backing his words.

Dumbledore just simply nodded his head. He began to search through the drawers in his desk before pulling out an ordinary roll of parchment. "By signing this you bind yourself to the Order of the Phoenix. I warn you now that if you are to betray the Order you will not live very long. So Mr. Malfoy, are you still in agreement to join?"

"I'm not about to back down now."

The old wizard smiled. "Than take you're wand, tap twice and than say your name. Once the spell has taken hold, all of you're assignments will appear on this paper. You are the only one who is able to read this, but I highly caution you not to lose it."

Taking the parchment in his head Draco pulled out his wand, tapped and twice and than spoke loudly, "Draco Malfoy!"

Dumbledore than took it from him, only to tap it twice more with his wand. "It is finished. Draco Malfoy from this day forward you are a member of the Order of the Phoenix and are bound by this document that I now hold before you." He handed the paper back to Draco, who stared at it for a while. At the top it was titled "Order of the Phoenix", and right below it, "Draco Malfoy". A little ways down was a section labeled mission. "Find and report any activity of the dark arts going on inside the school. Stay undercover and do not by any means make yourself known to anyone suspected of having connections to Voldemort or any of his Death Eaters." At the very end there were some announcements. " All students in the Order report the Greenhouses on Friday after classes to receive you're first group assignment." When Draco had finished reading, he realized Dumbledore was no longer paying attention to him, but instead seemed to be concentrating on some papers on his desk. When he didn't look up, Draco assumed it was time for him to leave. Just before he was out the door, the Headmaster called him back in.

"Be careful, there is more danger in this than you may believe."

"I know." Draco was pretty sure he knew the risks and was willing to take the chance. What did he have to loose? Ginny was safely out of his life now, he regretted it, but at least she was out of harm's way for the time being.

Dumbledore didn't stop him this time as he exited the office, the gargoyle than moved out of his way, and he was back in the corridor. Now he just had to get back to the dungeons with out getting caught.

"Ah, Mr. Malfoy, taking a midnight stroll are we?" Dammit! Why was he born with such dumb ass luck?