Disclaimer I do not own any of the characters within this story. J.K. Rowling does. I just play with them.
Chapter 2
Draco sat in his room at the Malfoy home going through his old school things. Unlike the other students from Hogwarts, he received no owl from the new headmistress.
He had his books around him and chess set out, along with his chocolate frog cards. He picked up his Dumbledore card and looked down at it with tears in his eyes.
"I am so sorry Sir. I did everything I could think of to get caught. I even messed up on purpose, just like you said I did. I only did those things because my father was in prison. I was the only thing that stood between the Dark lord and my mother. I had to protect her."
Draco said, voice trembling.
"I know you did my son. I forgive you."
"What the hell?" Draco dropped the card to the floor.
"Do not be frightened boy. I know why you did those things. I also know that you are no killer. You are however a very good actor. You are also very good at occulumency. Who was your teacher, Snape or Bellatrix?" questioned Dumbledore.
"Both Sir, have been teaching me. They thought it would be for the best that I know how to keep the Dark Lord out of my mind as long as possible." Draco confessed.
"How would you like to help your mother, others like her and to help the Order to defeat Voldemort?" questioned Dumbledore.
Draco flinched at the name." I want to help. I will do what I can, but what makes you think that anyone will believe anything that I have to say? They hate me even more now after what has happened."
"Once you have found out the necessary information, I will relay the messages for you and no one will be the wiser. "commented Dumbledore.
"Alright, I will help, but on one condition. When this war is over I want everyone to know that I did what was right and helped to defeat the Dark Lord and his minions." stated Draco.
"When this war is over I will see to it personally." replied Dumbledore.
"Alright what do I have to do?" Draco sighed.
"Somewhere in your father's study you will find a scroll that Voldemort had entrusted to your father before his first downfall. It could be anything .It will have any one of three insignias on it, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. When you have found this I will need to see it immediately." At this, he vanished from his card.
Draco walked downstairs, as he was about to enter the study, Severus Snape appeared from around the corner.
"What are you doing here?" Draco said with a sarcastic smirk.
"I'm taking your mother out for a bite to eat." Snape hissed as if the air had been let out of a balloon.
"My father is in prison, not dead. I do not think it is very appropriate that you are dating my mother. Do you?" Draco snarled.
Snape laughed." I am not dating her. I am getting her out of your way so you can search without being interrupted. Stop starring. I am on the same side you are boy. I just had to do a tasteless and unwanted task to stay there. The Dark Lord's power has grown so tell no one, not even me about what you have uncovered."
"Hello Severus." Narcissa called as she glided down the stairs. "Draco, darling I am going out. Your dinner is in the kitchen when you are ready for it and the house elves have done their work for the evening. Don't wait up I will see you in the morning at breakfast. Sleep well, my love."
"Yes mother .Have a nice dinner." answered Draco, kissing his mother on the cheek.
He waited to hear the door close behind them and for the benefit of the house elves called out, "I wish to be left alone and not to be disturbed for the rest of the night." He entered the study and closed the door behind him. There were many shelves full of books, scrolls and paper work. He searched every piece of paper in and around the desk.
Not there .He thinks to himself.
The shelves contents were in alphabetical order which helped a lot. He started with Gryffindor. Nope. Then to Hufflepuff. There he found a piece of parchment. It was written in Lucius' hand although he could not read it; it still may have had some significance.
He sat it down when another, older scroll fell forward. This had to be it. It was locked and he could not get it open. He sat down and took out his frog card and whispered.
"I think I may have found what you were looking for, but it is locked."
Dumbledore reappeared "Excellent! We still have a few moments before your mother returns."
Draco looked surprisingly at his watch to discover that he had been at his search for well over two hours.
"Draco, take out your wand and tap them as you say 'Alohomora' and see if that will open them." Dumbledore supplied.
Nothing happened at first .Slowly it began to glow and then it opened. The first was indeed a map of a village by the name of Valley Broad.
"Very good." replied Dumbledore. "It is a map. It shows the village, where Helga Hufflepuff was born and is now interred." The other was a drawing which contained what Dumbledore believed to be a sketch of the Hufflepuff cup. A possible horcrux and a destination from which to start their search.
"Draco, this is exactly what we needed. You have done an excellent job, but I am afraid this is just the beginning. I shall return again soon. Remember you must never let anyone know about this. Not only will you endanger all of us, it will also put your mother in danger."
"I understand Professor. I'll be expecting your return." Dumbledore winks as he disappears.
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