Harry Potter and the Curse of V'Ardian
Chapter 33
Of Caring and Consequence
Standard Disclaimers Apply
oOoOo
"My goodness, you're Harry Potter, aren't you!" gasped the witch in the purple robes. "Can I have your autograph?"
"Er…no. I'm very sorry, but I'm busy. Excuse me…"
He forced his way past the excited witch, following Professor McGonagall into the crowded courtroom. After fifteen minutes of being accosted by people and forced to shake hands, Harry finally managed to get a seat next to the Headmistress.
She shot him a sharp glance, though her lips curled up slightly at the ends.
"Have a bit of trouble did you?" she asked. He rolled his eyes, and that was enough of an answer. She still wasn't happy about him coming, but he had argued that as it was his information that had led to the Death Eater's arrest, he had every right to be here.
The courtroom was in a secure location, and under the Fidelius charm, and was designed in the same way as the courtroom in which Harry had undergone his own trial. It took fifteen more minutes before everyone had settled down and taken their seats, and even then a constant whisper seemed to fill the echoing room. Mr Weasley took the stand and cleared his throat; somewhere behind Harry a camera went off and a quill scratched on paper.
"Today is the Tuesday 15th of October and the trial is Alectus Carrow and Adolphus Staten versus the Ministry of Magic. Bring in the prisoners."
Harry hadn't known the Draco Malfoy would be receiving a separate trial, but then realised that he was going to be charged with more than these two. Harry watched in silence as Carrow and Staten were brought in and bound in the chairs before Mr Weasley. He stared down at them sternly. Alectus Carrow looked as though she had been crying, but Adolphus Staten was calm and collected, gazing up at Mr Weasley without emotion.
Harry looked at Professor McGonagall and saw that she was glaring down at them in anger. Harry felt only pity. Mr Weasley made a motion to silence the court.
"Alectus Carrow and Adolphus Staten, you are hereby charged with the crimes of aiding the Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, for the murder of Germaine Sparrow and Frederick Wiltshire, and for the use of the Unforgivables. How do you plead?"
"Innocent!" shrieked Alecto, looking up in panic. Staten said nothing. "I didn't do it, I swear! He made me! He made me-"
"Silence!" thundered Mr Weasley. Harry had never seen him look so angry, as he stared at the two Death Eaters in disdain. "You committed those crimes under your own free will and you shall be punished for it. However, if you have sufficient information that will be of aid to the Ministry the Wizengamot may alter your sentence as they see fit."
"I'll tell you anything!" screamed Alecto.
"Quiet!" hissed Staten, speaking for the first time. "You should be proud to have been caught in service to our Lord, not whining like a snivelling coward."
Harry leaned forward so that he might hear their words better.
"There are no longer Dementors at Azkaban, Alecto, and it will not be long before the Dark Lord gains control of the prison anyway. We will be free and our incarceration will be avenged."
Alecto looked at him with large, frightened eyes before turning back to Mr Weasley.
"I have names," she blurted out suddenly.
Staten looked away from her and refused to lay his eyes on her again.
"You will be punished," he whispered softly, and it was the last thing he said.
"Names?" asked Mr Weasley, leaning forward.
"Yes. Names of Death Eaters loyal to the Dark Lord."
"Very well. Tell the court."
Mr Weasley leaned back and waited expectantly.
"Julius Faraway," Alecto said, her hands shaking and her voice trembling.
"Already known," said Mr Weasley.
"Clinton Smith!"
"In our custody."
"Severus Snape!" she gasped out.
Harry felt Professor McGonagall draw in a deep breath.
"Already known," snapped Mr Weasley, leaning forward again. Alecto swallowed nervously, her eyes darting around.
"Owen Mulgrave! Nymphadora Tonks!"
The crowd exploded in whispers and the witch in front of Harry began scribbling furiously on a piece of parchment. A nervous grin flickered across Alecto's face.
"Silence!" roared Mr Weasley. Harry saw Tonks seated in the front row across the room and she met his eyes in alarm. The wizards and witches around her were eyeing her suspiciously, but Remus clung onto her hand.
"Silence!" yelled Mr Weasley again, and the noise in the room dulled. "Nymphadora Tonks was a victim of the Imperius Curse has been in full control of herself for some time. But Owen Mulgrave…" He leaned over to whisper something in the ear of a witch, who nodded and wrote something down.
"Who's Owen Mulgrave?" asked Harry, leaning closer to Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall's nostrils flared and her lips thinned.
"He is the Head of the Department of Mysteries and a member of the Order."
Harry sat back in his chair.
"So he might not be a hostage at all," he surmised.
"That sounds correct, yes," said Professor McGonagall.
"Very well," said Mr Weasley, looking back down at Alecto. "Is that all you have?"
"No- well, yes, but I can get more, I can!"
Mr Weasley looked down at the two Death Eaters, his expression severe. He looked up at the members of the Wizengamot.
"Those in favour of finding the defendants guilty?"
The vote was unanimous.
Mr Weasley looked down at the papers on his desk and back at the two prisoners.
"Alecto Carrow and Adolphus Staten, you are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban." He turned to the Aurors stationed at the door. "Remove the prisoners."
It was a short trial, Harry thought. He wondered if that was the normal procedure. Maybe it was because they hadn't chosen representation. Either way, Harry thought, they deserved exactly what they got. The hostile glares of the witches and wizards followed the two Death Eaters out of the room. Mr Weasley exchanged the folder on his desk for a second one.
"The trial is Draco Malfoy versus the Ministry of Magic. Bring in the prisoner."
As Drcao was led in his eyes dashed wildly around the assembled people, but they skipped over Harry. He saw that Malfoy looked pale and ill, a streak of red marring the side of his face. The Aurors thrust him into the chair and chains snaked their way around his wrist and ankles. His face flushed in anger and embarrassment, and he stared defiantly up at Mr Weasley.
"Draco Malfoy, you are charged with aiding the Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, using the Unforgivables and other Dark spells, and the murder of Albus Dumbledore. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty," said Malfoy, raising his chin in defiance. Professor McGonagall made a noise of disgust and Harry felt a moment of regret for what Malfoy had gone through. Around Harry, witches and wizards hissed insults at the young blonde.
"Mr Malfoy, the Ministry has authorised the use of Veritaserum. If you are found guilty whilst pleading innocent, your sentence will be much more severe."
"I didn't kill Dumbledore," said Malfoy loudly. "And I never used an Unforgivable."
"But you were a Death Eater."
"I was a spy," said Malfoy, sneering up at Mr Weasley. Someone behind Harry laughed and Malfoy's face turned a deep red.
"Mr Malfoy you were seen at the sire of the attack, fighting against Ministry wizards. What do you have to say to that?"
"I just said," Malfoy ground out, "that I was a spy. I fought, but not of my spells harmed another wizard any more severely than to Stupefy them, and I certainly did not cast an Unforgivable."
"Very well," said Mr Weasley quietly. His voice rose. "Did you or did you not murder Albus Dumbledore. Answer truthfully or we will be forced to administer Veritaserum."
Draco frowned.
"I didn't kill him."
"Then who did?" asked Mr Weasley sharply. Harry felt a hint of respect for Malfoy for not revealing his part in Dumbledore's death. Malfoy remained stubbornly silent.
"Were you present at the time of Dumbledore's death?"
No answer.
"Was Severus Snape present at Dumbledore's death?"
No answer. McGonagall looked down at her former student in contempt.
"Mr Malfoy," said Mr Weasley, his voice growing louder. "You are known to have been at the scene of more than these two crimes. You are known to be a Death Eater. You come from a family known to associate with the Dark Lord and his followers. You have no one to vouch for you and you are facing a life sentence in Azkaban. I suggest you tell the truth young man."
Malfoy opened his mouth to reply, but Harry steeled himself and slowly stood up.
"I will vouch for him," he said loudly, staring stubbornly ahead as Professor McGonagall looked up at him in shocked disapproval. Mr Wealsey faltered and looked over at Harry in surprise. Malfoy's head swung around to stare at him in relief. A camera went off behind Harry and the witch with the quill began scribbling furiously. Mr Weasley gaped for a moment, while Professor McGonagall hissed up at him to sit down and tugged on his robes.
"Mr Potter," said Mr Weasley formally, his voice ringing with doubt. He glanced down and shuffled the papers on his desk. "This is…very unexpected…it complicates matters. You wish to…" Mr Weasley paused, confusion passing across his face. "…attest to Mr Malfoy's…"
"His innocence," said Harry, when Mr Weasley seemed unable to come up with a better word.
Mr Weasley glanced uncertainly around before looking back down at his desk, fidgeting uncomfortably. He was completely thrown.
"Very well, Mr Potter. You are of age and your request cannot legally be denied. You will, however, be required to consent to an interrogation with the use of Veritaserum. Do you understand."
Harry nodded his head sharply. Mr Weasley sighed and Professor Mcgonagall gave up, settling instead for glaring at him stonily.
"Alright, Mr Potter, down here if you please," said Mr Weasley, his formal words undermined by the tone of regret and disappointment as he gestured to the chair next to Malfoy. Harry descended the stone steps, ignoring the eyes boring into his back.
He stalked past Malfoy with only the slightest nod of his head as acknowledgement, and took a seat. The chains did not bind him.
"Administer the veritaserum," Mr Weasley ordered, staring down at Harry with something akin to disappointment on his face.
Harry took the vial as it was handed to him and drank it, and found it sweet and light.
"Now, Harry," said Mr Weasley, slipping briefly as he used Harry's name, "as you are not the accused, unless we have your direct permission we are only able to ask questions which relate directly to Mr Malfoy. The amount of questions cannot exceed three. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Harry said, feeling an irresistible urge to tell the truth. Everything seemed somewhat hazy, and he sat back, relaxed.
Me Wealey sighed.
"Alright. Mr Potter, were you present at the death of Albus Dumbledore?"
"Yes," intoned Harry.
"And did you see who cast the Killing Curse that led to his death?"
"Yes."
"Was it Draco Malfoy?"
"No."
"Administer the antidote," said Mr Weasley, as excited whispers broke out through the court. He looked frazzled. Harry chanced a look at Malfoy and saw that he looked infinitely relieved.
Mr Weasley cleared his throat and the court silenced.
"Mr Potter, any questions asked now you may choose to answer of your own free will. At any time you may choose to leave or refuse to answer a question. Is that clear?"
"Yes," answered Harry, his head clear again.
"Who did you see cast the Killing Curse at Albus Dumbledore?"
"Severus Snape," said Harry, loudly and clearly. More murmurs filled the hushed court room.
"Was he aware of your presence at the time?" asked Mr Weasley.
"No. Dumbledore put a disillusionment charm and freezing charm on me. They didn't wear off until he died, and by that time Snape and Malfoy had left."
"So Draco Malfoy was an accomplice to Severus Snape?" asked Mr Weasley sharply. Harry shook his head.
"Draco Malfoy was a spy," said Harry. Speaking broke out throughout the room and Mr Weasley silenced them, looking stunned. His expression morphed into one of suspicion as he looked down at Harry. He knew very well the Mr Weasley couldn't ask about the Order, so Harry felt the need to expound his statement.
"Malfoy was a Death Eater," he said, "but he was never faithful. During his time at Hogwarts he passed me information about Voldemort's plans, and after he left with Snape he became even more trusted, and was able to pass on even more information."
Mr Weasley looked as surprised as anyone in the courtroom. Imagine that, the shocked whispers and judging faces seemed to say. A Malfoy helping the Boy-Who-Lived.
"Do you agree with everything that Mr Potter has said?" Mr Weasley asked Malfoy.
"Yes," said Malfoy, his voice holding a desperate edge that Harry had never heard before.
Mr Weasley scanned the area of the crowd where the members of the Wizengamot sat.
"Those in favour of finding the accused, Draco Malfoy, innocent?" he asked, and Harry felt his heart lift in relief. Innocent, not guilty, Mr Weasley had asked. Harry glared coldly and dispassionately at the members of the Wizengamot, and slowly but surely they began to raise their hands, some with looks of uncertainty still on their faces.
"It is done," said Mr Weasley. "Draco Malfoy has been found innocent an all accounts, and is free to go."
The chains snaked away from his wrists and ankles and he stood up next to Harry. Wordlessly they gripped hands and shook, and they walked together from the room. Professor McGonagall met them outside, her mouth a thin, hard line.
"We will be having words when we return, Mr Potter," she said quietly, her tone somewhat threatening. She gazed dispassionately at Malfoy, but her face softened.
"If you truly did not kill him, Draco, then I am sorry for judging you. And if, as Mr Potter said, you are the one who has been passing information, then you have my gratitude. You are a very brave young man, and you are welcome back at Hogwarts if that is what you want."
A faint tinge appeared in Malfoy's cheeks at what amounted to extravagant praise from the headmistress and he gave a faint smile.
"Thankyou, Professor," he murmured, his gaze going to the ground. He really had changed, Harry thought. The experience had left him humbled, and more aware of what really mattered.
"I will see the two of you back at Hogwarts," said Professor McGonagall. "Please wait in my office for me. We have a lot to discuss." Her piercing gaze landed on Harry and at his nod she bid them farewell and left to go and talk to someone. Harry spotted a reporter heading his way and motioned to Malfoy, and they headed for the Atrium, ignoring the looks sent their way. They Flooed back to Hogwarts, Harry spilling clumsily out of the fireplace and into McGonagall's office. Without speaking they took seats in front of the great oak desk.
Malfoy fidgeted, clearly uneasy, and again Harry reflected on the changes that had been wrought in the boy.
"Are you okay, Malfoy?" asked Harry eventually, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"It's Draco, Potter. I think you've earned that right," he said, surprising Harry.
"Then you can call me Harry. I think you've earned that right as well."
Malfoy nodded, a small smile on his face before it fell and he looked sharply at Harry.
"So you're a vampire," he said, his grey eyes full of doubt and blatant curiosity. Harry gave a small sigh.
"Yes."
"Since when?"
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Snape didn't tell you?"
"He said it was up to you to decide if you wanted to tell me."
The eyebrow drew higher.
"I know, I was shocked too," said Malfoy, grinning lightly. "It seems he's beginning to- dare I say it- respect you."
"Hmm," Harry murmured noncommittally. "I was bitten on my birthday last year. Did he tell you the rest of it? About the prophecy and everything?"
"He…hinted at it."
Harry sent out a declaration of thanks to Snape and told Malfoy about the prophecy. He trusted Malfoy now, knew he could keep a secret.
"How is Snape?" asked Harry, in the long silence that followed his tale. Draco shrugged.
"As well as can be expected, I guess. I think he misses Hogwarts."
Of course he does, thought Harry. But it isn't the castle he misses.
Draco looked like he wanted to ask something, and Harry, giving into the desire, probed his mind briefly. Relieved at what he found, he sat back in his chair.
"You know about Katherine, then," he said. Draco breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yes. He told me just after we left." Draco shook his head. "I never knew…never thought…"
"I know what you mean," said Harry sincerely.
"How did you find out?" asked Malfoy, a bit incredulous that Harry of all people had known.
"Well, it's a bit of a long story," said Harry. But we have time. "There's this place, a house, where I sometimes go on the holidays, somewhere safe. She was staying there at the beginning of our sixth year, and I was told that she was the daughter of a friend of Dumbledore's. She had a glamour, but because I'd already been bitten, I could see through it. Vampires have that ability."
"Huh," Malfoy murmured, fascinated. He traced his upper lip with his finger and leaned back in the comfortable chair, a leg thrown over the arm rest.
"As soon as I saw her I knew it couldn't be a coincidence- she looks so much like Snape, but I didn't find out the truth for a while…"
"I haven't seen her yet," said Malfoy. "Not in her true form at least."
Harry smiled.
"She's beautiful," he murmured, gazing into the fireplace. Malfoy looked at him in amazement.
"You fancy Snape's daughter," he chortled. "Oh, this is beautiful. He would kill you, if he ever found out."
Harry's eyes rose to meet his.
"He did threaten…" he said.
Malfoy's mouth dropped open.
"He knows?" he asked in a shocked whisper that was trembling with suppressed glee.
"Well he was giving me Occlumency lessons and I think that gave him a bit of a hint, but one night she was- er- visiting me, in the hospital wing, and he kind of walked in on us…"
Malfoy burst out laughing.
"Oh, this is too much," he gasped, slapping his knee in mirth. "So let me get this straight. Snape thinks you fancy his daughter, and you're the only one who knows about her, and in reality you're shagging her. Oh, this is excellent."
Harry blushed.
"I'm not shagging her, Malfoy," he said, devastated.
Malfoy took one look at his red face and burst out in laughter again.
"Oh, don't be so modest, Potter. I'm absolutely amazed you had the guts to pull of such a thing. I mean, here I was, thinking Snape hated you because you were the one who destroyed the Dark Lord. Then he told me he was a spy, and I thought he hated you because you were a Gryffindor, or because of your father or some other rubbish. Ah, now I see everything!"
Suddenly understanding passed across his face.
"That's why the Dark Lord took her! Because she was seeing you!"
Harry's face fell.
"Yes. I couldn't believe it. I mean, we weren't really seeing each other at the time, just…meeting…and the one person to see us was the one that Voldemort had under the Imperius Curse."
Malfoy flinched slightly at the name, but his curiosity had displaced any fear.
"Who saw you? It must have been a teacher, for them to have enough trust to lure a student away…"
"Tonks," said Harry. "She saw us together one day and assumed she was my girlfriend."
"Nymphadora Tonks?" asked Malfoy in shock. "She's my-"
"Your mother's cousin's daughter, or something," said Harry. "I know."
"Wow," muttered Malfoy, gazing into the distance. His eyes flicked back to Harry.
"So tell me about you and Miss Snape," he grinned. "Getting any action?" Harry rolled his eyes.
"You are so crude, Draco."
"Oh, come on," eh wheedled. "I've been in hell for the last Merlin knows how long doing your bidding. I need some gossip."
Harry rolled his eyes again.
"Fine. I'll tell you how we got together then. But no more," he warned sternly.
"Whatever," said Malfoy, rolling his eyes in a parody of Harry. He no longer seemed concerned about upholding appearances or dignity. "Just keep going with your story."
"Alright. Well we kind of got to know each other in the holidays before sixth year, staying in the same place and everything, and once we came back to school we saw each other around. At this stage I hadn't- hadn't had any blood since I'd been bitten and one day I just lost control around her." He flushed. "I kissed her and bloody near bit her."
Draco smirked and Harry sent him a glare.
"How romantic," he drawled.
"Anyway," said Harry loudly, ignoring him, "it was the first time I'd felt my- er- my teeth, and that stopped me, but I think she saw. After that we didn't speak for a while. I was pretty angry, and a bit embarrassed, to tell you the truth."
Draco's smirk grew wider.
"The next time I saw her she had this potion with her, and she said she knew what I was. Figured out, just like Hermione would have. She offered to- she said I could drink her blood, and that if she drank the potion first she wouldn't turn. I couldn't resist, I was so weak. It had been months since I'd been bitten and I knew I needed it. So I did it, and that's when Tonks saw us. Bloody near found out what I was, too."
"Soon after that the three of them- Katherine, Ginny and Neville, were taken, and I went after them. When I got back I guess that's when we started to get closer, and eventually it just happened." Harry blushed again slightly. "Feeding seemed to go hand in hand with snogging."
Malfoy laughed uproariously, slapping his hand on his knee. Harry had never seen him display such emotion.
"So what happened between you and Snape?" asked Malfoy once he calmed down. "That day you punched him?"
Harry's face darkened and he scowled.
"I'm not going to go into that," he said. "But that was the day Snape found out what I was, and connected me with the prophecy. I think he suspected before, but that destroyed any doubts he might have had."
Harry sighed.
"I still don't know if I can forgive him," he said, so quietly that Malfoy didn't hear.
"What?" he asked. Harry looked up and shook his head.
"That's a story for another time, Draco," he said, the name awkward and unfamiliar on his tongue. Draco looked disappointed.
"Ah well, it was quite a show in any case."
A moment later Professor McGonagall stepped out of the fire place and the two boys straightened in their chairs, their faces adopting serious expressions. A moment later Mr Weasley, Tonks and Moody followed her out. Professor McGonagall transfigured three more chairs and the four of them sat. McGonagall looked over at him sternly.
"Mr Potter. Explain yourself."
Harry looked around at the hard glances coming from the other three adults and scowled.
"What would you like to know?" he asked. Professor McGonagall lost her patience.
"What were you thinking?" she asked, her lips quivering in anger. "You could have at least told us what you had planned! Why did you not tell the Order who your contact was? Why did you wait to make the announcement in public? Why did-"
"I have reasons," said Harry loudly, cutting her off angrily. "I didn't tell you who my contact was because it was vital it not be leaked. I'm sure Tonks could tell you why that was important!" He glanced at Tonks' now pale face and went on. "And the reason for not telling you what I had planned beforehand was that you never would have allowed me to go. You know this is true! And the reason I chose to expose the truth in public and before the Wizengamot was because Voldemort needs to know that not everyone he believes to be loyal really is! It was a movement made specifically to destabilise him and make him doubt his followers. Furthermore, there was no point letting him go to Azkaban, because even if Voldemort did manage to take hold of the prison, I still have another contact!"
McGonagall looked pale, though considerably calmed.
"Who?" she asked.
"That will remain mine and Draco's knowledge and no one else's," said Harry quietly.
"But why did you not let Mr Malfoy submit to the Veritaserum and prove himself innocent? Why do it yourself?" asked Mr Weasley.
"Like I said, the impact was much greater and much more effective for the fact that Draco was loyal to me specifically, not just the Order. I also did it because Draco was the accused. I can assure you I did not enter into this lightly and I did much research. If I could prove his innocence with only three questions, then that was far better than you having the right to ask him many as you wished. There are a lot of things about that night that only Draco and Snape and I know, and they are things that I am not ready to disclose to any of you."
"Hiding something?" asked Moody gruffly, both of his eyes swivelling in Harry's direction.
"Yes," Harry said forthrightly. "But it probably isn't what you expect, and I daresay you'll find out soon enough anyway."
Professor McGonagall stared hard at him before giving a deep sigh.
"Mr Potter, you must not feel that you must do everything alone. We are here to help you. This war is not your responsibility alone."
"Yes it is," said Harry bluntly. Professor McGonagall sighed again.
"Harry-"
"Professor McGonagall, I'm sure you heard just as well as the rest of the wizarding world when the prophecy was revealed."
"That prophecy was made by Sybill Trelawney. It is most certainly-"
"True," interrupted Harry. I can assure you that the prophecy was not made up or anything of the sort, and there is no doubt that it is about me. I will kill Voldemort or die trying and I am not going to wait around for others to make foolish attempts trying to do the same thing because there is just no point."
Harry stood up.
"If you'll kindly excuse me I have things to be doing."
Professor McGonagall stared up at him, her face white. When she spoke her voice broke.
"Very well, Mr Potter," she said softly and, Harry thought, somewhat sadly. "You may go."
Harry nodded.
"I'll wait outside for Draco."
"No need, Harry," said Mr Weasley quickly. "He can come with you. We just wanted to - uh – apologise to Mr Malfoy."
"Hmph," put in Moody gruffly. "You did well boy, if it was you passing that information to Potter. Quite a surprise though, I must say."
Draco nodded and stood up, his face a blank mask. He looked down at McGonagall.
"Where will I be staying?" he asked. Harry stepped forward.
"He can't go back to Slytherin unless he's under a glamour," he said. "They'd kill him."
McGonagall nodded.
"I'd rather not go back there in any case," said Malfoy haughtily.
"Well you should wear a glamour anyway, or you'll be in danger," put in Harry. Malfoy shrugged. "And you can stay in Gryffindor."
"I bloody well won't!" exploded Malfoy. Harry grinned.
"Sure you will," said Harry, his mouth twitching slightly.
"No way in-"
"Draco," said Harry. "Would you rather be in Hufflepuff?"
Malfoy's face turned pale.
"Ravenclaw, at least," he pleaded. Harry winked at Professor McGonagall, and he could have sworn she nearly smiled.
"Gryffindor would be best, I'm afraid," said Professor McGonagall. "And you will wear a glamour, for a while at least."
"But-"
"Don't worry, Draco. It'll look just as good as you look now," said Harry, smirking. Draco scowled at him and gave in.
"Whatever."
Harry flicked his wand in Malfoy's direction and before them stood a completely new young man. True to Harry's word, he was just as handsome as the real Malfoy, with wavy black hair and dark eyes. His skin was darker and his lips fuller. Malfoy took a look at himself and sneered, but the sneer looked out of place on the face and he nearly wailed in despair.
"Don't worry, Draco," said Harry consolingly. "You look great."
Professor McGonagall looked over at Harry with some surprise at his ability at putting up a glamour, but Harry ignored it.
"We'll just be going now, Professor," said Harry. "But first, do you have Draco's things that he left behind?"
Professor McGonagall gave a slight smile.
"They will be in your dorm when you arrive" she said. She paused a moment, then, "Good luck, boys."
Harry nodded and they turned and walked to the door.
"Oh, what will be your name, Mr Malfoy?" she asked, just before they could leave. Malfoy turned around, seemingly at a loss.
"Alex Grey," said Harry, cutting in. Malfoy looked like he was about to refuse, but then nodded slowly.
"It'll do, I guess," he said grudgingly, but Harry knew he understood Harry's choice.
oOoOo
"Now you have to remember to be nice to them," said Harry for the third time.
"I know," sighed Draco as they approached the portrait. "Merlin what am I getting myself into? How low have I sunk, that I must grovel amongst Gryffindors?"
Harry grinned.
"Password's Godric," he said, and Malfoy snorted as the portrait swung open.
"Could there be a more pathetic name?" he asked. Harry rolled his eyes. It was a rather bad password. Her led Draco up the stairs and intot he seventh year dorm where his friends were reclined on their beds, reading or doing homework. He noticed that the room seemed to have expanded, and another bed now lay next to his, a solid-looking mahogany trunk at the foot of it.
"Hey guys," said Harry, drawing an unwilling Draco in behind him. "New student," he grinned as they all sat up. "This is Alex Grey. He's from some poncy Italian school. Alex, this is Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Azi Shaka, and William Dashwood."
The boys crowded forth eagerly, reaching forward to shake hands and greet Alex. Harry nearly laughed as he saw the brief grimace on Draco's face as he shook Ron's hand.
And as Harry lay back in bed that night and listened to the sound of everyone falling asleep, he had to admit that it had been a pretty good day.
oOoOo
A/N: Review, review, review! Again I apologise for the long update. I've actually had this chapter finished for ages, but our computer decided to screw up so I couldn't connect my USB key and so on. But here it finally is and I hope you enjoyed it- Wujjawoo.
Chapter 34: Of Pleasure, Pain, and Preparation