Disclaimer : Harry Potter doesn't not belong to me
Author's Note: What… nearly four and a half months from my last update! It really breaks some record now?
Really sorry for the long delay… it's hard to find time to write regularly now that school work is so heavy, but I will try…
Really huge thanks to all readers who reviewed
Special thanks to emikae, who has stick with me from the very beginning, and whose last review really really hit me hard – if I didn't start writing then, I would lose this fic. Thanks for giving me back the motivation!
Now that HP 6 is already out, this fic can be officially regarded as AU now… I liked hp 6 much more than hp 5, but just like hp 5, the death in hp 6 is really unbearable for me… and I am in denial once again! (not dead! Not dead! There must be some tricks only!)
Anyway, please read and review! Honestly speaking, your reviews are what make me keep going. I need to know that someone other than myself is enjoying this fic…
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Chapter 15 Choices
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It was a familiar voice that woke Harry up.
"I wonder why such things always happen to him. " A girl's voice said.
"It's because he is the Harry Potter." A boy's voice said.
Harry was too tired to open his eyes.
"Ron! Don't say so… " As the fog in Harry's mind cleared up, he recognized the voice as that of Hermione's.
"But I mean… he's destined to attract trouble. He's probably in one of the first few places of You-Know-Who's hit list… what else do you expect? "
"I know… but I'm so worried for him. We're in Hogwarts, for crying out loud! If he can be attacked here, then no place is safe for him anymore. "
"No where is safe for anyone anymore, Hermi. "
Harry opened his eyes for a bit… and immediately closed them. The invasion of light into his darkness hurt… like a knife searing straight through his head.
"I guess we really have to look out for him."
"Ron, I think Harry's awake."
"No, I'm not. " Harry groaned, his voice croaky, his throat completely dry.
Ron and Hermione quickly sprang up from their chairs and came to his side and assisted him to sit up against the pillow. Ron headed him his glasses while Hermione brought him a glass of water, relieving his burning throat.
Harry couldn't help but wonder how many times it had been for his two best friends to see to him like this. How many times had he been lucky enough to escape death and to wake up again? How many times had other waited in anxiety for him to wake up? How many times will it be till the end?
How soon it would be before the waiting had to stop and they have to weep upon his grave?
Harry shuddered at the sudden gloomy thought. He took a large gulp from the glass. He put it down and winced.
"Where does it hurt? " Ron asked.
"Everywhere. What do you -"
"Don't you dare to ever pull such a stunt on us again, Harry. " Hermione cut him off sharply. "Even if whatever attacked you didn't kill you, I'll personally finish you off, bare-handed if need be!"
Hermione's eyes looked red and puffy. Had she not slept or had she been crying?
"Ok. I'll try."
Harry then closed his eyes and thought about what happened.
He went to see Dumbledore… then Sirius had been afraid of something… he was attacked… Sirius came to his rescue…
Sirius…!
He snapped his eyes open and let his gaze darted about.
"What're you looking for? There's no one inside the hospital wing except us. Madam Pomfrey's meeting with Dumbledore. She'll be back soon." Ron said, frowning.
Harry was only half listening to Ron. His heart rate was speeding up in anxiety.
"It's nothing."
He didn't for a moment believe that Ron and Hermione would believe him. However, he couldn't care about that in that moment.
He closed his eyes and searched within his mind the link that was so important.
He searched, and reached out, and searched.
Finally he picked up on the thin thread that still connected him with another being. It was weak, unlike the usually pulsating warmth. It was nearly torn apart by last night's mortal peril on both parties.
It was weak. But it was still there.
Sirius was alive. That's all that mattered. Although, more heavily injured than Harry was, how Sirius could have recovered enough to be able to get out before the others arrived baffled him.
"Harry? Harry!"
Harry opened his eyes at long last.
"Harry, don't space out on us like that, can you?" Hermione said.
"Sorry."
Harry just cast his gaze downwards.
"What happened last night, mate?" Ron asked, obviously noting Harry's reluctance to talk about what had just transpired.
"What do you know?"
"When we waited and waited and you didn't show up last night, we went to McGonagall's. She told us that you were attacked, but wouldn't say anymore than your life was not in danger. We wanted to see you then, but she forbade us from going till morning."
"Well, there really isn't much to tell," Harry said. And then he proceeded to tell them what happened last night, omitting the part the he was not killed on the spot only because he was saved by Sirius.
They then discussed what the purpose (well, except wanting Harry killed) behind the attack would be. That person had to know that Harry would be stranded alone that night in that part of the castle. But except Dumbledore, Harry himself, Remus, Ron and Hermione, no one else really knew about Harry's meeting with Dumbledore.
Just when they were debating on the part whether the creature had been smuggled from outside the castle or from the Forbidden Forest, Madam Pomfrey returned. Within less than twenty seconds, she ushered Ron and Hermione out of the room while muttering darkly under her breath about how fragile her patient was and how they should not overwork him. Ron and Hermione knew better than to argue and promised Harry to visit later in the day as the door of the hospital wing was shut on their face.
Madam Pomfrey ordered Harry to rest straight away without saying anything further. Harry was a bit anxious about whether she had told the professors about him bringing Padfoot to hospital wing last night, but the outraged expression on her face stopped Harry from asking further.
As soon as his head hit the pillow again, he drifted to the world of unconsciousness again.
His question was answered later that evening when Remus came visit him. Judging from the fact that he hadn't asked anything about any dogs at all, it seemed that Madam Pomfrey had really told no one of his secret.
Remus asked in details concerning what happened before, during and after the attack. Harry tried to be as vague as possible about how he killed the beast. He surely didn't want to raise any suspicion.
"You're really very lucky, Harry, " Remus said, "according to Hagrid's guess, the creature that attacked you was a shadow ogre. It's a really aggressive predator, with hide that is highly magic repellent. Several of those are believed to be residing in the Forbidden Forest currently. "
"What do you mean by Hagrid's guess? Can't he recognize the body of that thing?"
"Well, you probably do not know… the body of the beast was not there when we arrived at the scene. According to Poppy, we arrived there less than forty minutes after you arrived at hospital wing. All that has been left was the creature's blood and the signs of the fight."
"So it means someone is behind it, right? That person must be nearby when the fight happened."
"Yes. What's more, there were signs of silencing charm being cast over that corridor. "
Harry ran his hand over his hair. Something just didn't add up.
"But… if the purpose of this attack was really to kill me, that person could have easily finished me off then. I was nearly out of it after I killed that beast."
"Indeed… I'll discuss it further with Professor Dumbledore. In the mean time, take care of yourself, will you? "
"I will try. You know I never intentionally look for trouble, though. " Harry watched as Remus stood up to leave, "thanks for visiting."
"No problem, Harry," as Remus turned to make for the door, he stopped mid-track and turned back.
Harry looked at Remus expectantly.
"By the way, you said the corridor was dark when the shadow ogre attacked you," Remus sounded like he wasn't really sure if he should be asking this, "are you sure that only one creature attacked you? Could there be more than one?"
Harry tried very hard to keep his expression as natural and as impassive as possible.
"I'm not very sure actually… everything happened so fast. I couldn't really see clearly in the dark. Why ask this?"
"Well, it's nothing…just that we found something strange at the fight scene. It's probably nothing. I've got to go now. See you later."
Harry waved his goodbye as Remus left the hospital wing.
He signed in relieve as the door was closed.
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Harry opened his eyes.
In the darkness, he could feel the breath and the heat of the animal standing just besides his bed.
He almost shot out of the bed. His shoulder hurt immensely with the sudden movement, but it didn't stop Harry from throwing his arms around the neck of his godfather.
/Sirius/
Harry kept calling out fervently to the part of his mind that connected him to Sirius, but it was like some mirage in desert that he couldn't reach no matter how hard he tried.
Padfoot moaned slightly. Harry immediately withdrew his arms. He must have hurt him.
Harry's eyes gradually adapted to the darkness of the hospital wing. He could discern the outline of his godfather, sitting upright besides his bed, his pale blue eyes alert. He didn't seem to be in too much pain.
"Are you ok?" Harry whispered.
Padfoot nodded his head.
"What's happening? Why can't we communicate? "
Padfoot shook his head slightly. He looked around and then pointed his paw towards the bedside table, where the torn but cleaned school robe rest upon the table top. Harry reached his hand towards the robe, not sure what Padfoot was trying to say. But as he rummaged around blindly for a moment, he soon got hold of his wand.
May be he would be able to re-strengthen the bond?
"tego texi tectum" Harry said softly as his wand-holding hand carried out the practiced, complex wrist movement. His wand was pointed to the spot midway between Padfoot's blue eyes as he finished the last syllable of the incantation.
Again, the outside world was lost to Harry. Treading through the current and turbulence of thoughts and memories, Harry fought to hold himself steady and struggled towards the distant beam of pale blue light that was Sirius. It was difficult as the beam seemed to waver and drift further away. There seemed to be something invisible that was snatching them apart. But Harry was more than resolute. He searched within his exhausted self for the strength to move forward. Slowly but surely, the beam was nearer and nearer. Harry reached out …
Harry's hand was trembling as it put the wand back on top of the school robe on the bedside table. He was so drained that he couldn't really hold a coherent thought. But he wanted to check on something first. He wanted to make sure that he succeeded. What was it that was so important?
/Rest now, Harry. We can talk tomorrow./
The voice immediately pacified his racing mind.
Harry closed his eyes and slept.
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When Harry woke up again, he felt drained, but refreshed.
/Good afternoon, sleepy head. / Sirius' voice rang through his mind.
/Sirius/ Harry sat up and grabbed for his glasses.
Harry studied his godfather under the sunlight of late afternoon. Besides his fur looking a bit tangled and dirty, he actually looked fine.
/How are you feeling, Sirius? You were more gravely injured than I was. How come … you recover so fast/
/Well, I am strong, that's why. / He gave Harry a wolfish grin. /Or you can say that Madam Pomfrey's skill is so supreme. /
Harry stared at Padfoot a bit doubtfully.
/I was so worried when I woke up yesterday and didn't see you, you know. /
/yeah, I know. I couldn't very well stay where people can see me before you re-strengthen the bond, because the concealment charm's potency was significantly reduced. People would have seen me. /
/Why did the charm become weaker/
/Well… it's because it was built upon the bond between us. The strength of the bond is largely dependent on our life force… the source of our magic. As our lives were gravely threatened, the bond was jeopardized. /
/Whatever the mechanism… as soon as both of us are ok now…/
They chatted for a while before Madam Pomfrey came to check on Harry.
After a lot of pleading on Harry's part, Madam Pomfrey reluctantly agreed to discharge him.
"You take good care of yourself. I don't want to see your face within the hospital wing this term, unless it is to visit someone."
"Ok. Thanks Madam Pomfrey. "
"And, send your dog away as soon as possible. I'll tolerate no more nonsense from you. If I see the dog in my sight just once - "
"I understand. Really thank you for not telling the other about my dog. I promise you I will get it away as soon as possible. "
And then Harry fled from hospital wing with Padfoot close on his trail. They visited the kitchen to grab an early dinner before going out to stride near the giant lake. Then they went back to Griffindor's common room and as soon as Harry entered, people kept bombarding him with questions. Luckily, Ron and Hermione were there to chase the crowd away.
Harry seized the chance to go back up his room as soon as the chance presented itself. He by then already felt drained and soon fell asleep again.
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"Mr Malfoy, have you ever heard of a creature called 'shadow ogre' before? " Dumbledore fixed his eyes on the student sitting in front of him.
Malfoy's face paled even more, which was quite an accomplishment considering the originally pale complexion. His expression remained impassive, however.
"I haven't. "
"Have you heard from your father lately, then?"
"I can't exactly talk to him nowadays, can I? After all, he's still under custody and investigation for some false charges against him." The arrogant light shining through the pale eyes was as if daring Dumbledore to doubt otherwise.
"I guess I will just have to be blunt with you, Mr. Malfoy. " Dumbledore said, lowering his half moon spectacle a bit to study him clearer. "I have got no solid proof, but evidence are pointing towards you that you're the one who planned this attack on Mr. Potter. "
"So what? As you've said, you've no solid proof."
"I have eye witness who remembered seeing you spill something onto Mr. Potter that evening."
"It wasn't even me, Professor. It were two girls who - "
"You want me to question Miss. White and Miss. Watson, then? "
Malfoy's month was still open in mid-sentence, a bit taken aback that Dumbledore had already found out the name of the two girls present.
"Yes, I have done my research. If I really want to, I can conjure up the proof that I need. But that's not what I want to do, yet."
Malfoy simply glared at Dumbledore.
"Is it really what you want, Draco? " Dumbledore asked softly, his gaze so searching and piercing, that Malfoy soon had to lower his gaze.
"I don't know what you're - "
"You do know, Draco. There's no point pretending that you don't. How you were raised, what sort of environment you have grown up in, you couldn't control. But what you will become – you still can. May be you really believe in what your family did, but think about it - it is really what you want, or is it just what your family expected of you?"
Malfoy pushed himself up from the chair.
"I've had enough of your nonsense. If you're done with your rumbling, or if you're not, I'm going anyway."
With a swish of his robe, Malfoy swept out of the office.
"Whether you like it or not, I've to try… " Dumbledore rested his chin upon his slender fingers, and signed.
Just as he was pondering what options were left concerning how to handle the situation with Malfoy, someone knocked at his door.
"Come in."
The door was swung open. Standing in the door, was a tall, thin wizard with unmistakable red hair and freckled face. He was wearing the Ministry usual work robe. Adjusting his horn-rimmed spectacles, Percy Weasley gave Dumbledore a stiff bow.
"Good morning, Professor Dumbledore."
For a moment, Dumbledore almost thought it was the head boy, who had been so enthusiastic with his duty that every few days he would come to report to him personally regarding various matter, such as how Peeves was distressing the first year girls, how they should set up study group to help the year five students cope with their O.W.L.s…
But Percy had graduated for two years already, and no longer his enthusiastic, albeit a bit too ambitious at time, student.
Dumbledore had been so taken with the incidence with Harry last night that he had nearly forgotten his appointment with the Minister's personal assistant.
"Please have a seat, Mr. Weasley. I believe you have brought words from the Minister for Magic? "
"Yes, Professor Dumbledore."
Dumbledore conjured up two cups of hot, honeyed tea as Percy was busy withdrawing a thick pile of parchments from his robes.
Dumbledore signed inwardly as he was totally not keen to hear the numerous petty complains and questions Fudge had managed to come up with this time.
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.
After the morning's lesson, Harry grabbed a piece of meat pie and a goblet of pumpkin juice from the Great Hall and ate as he walked towards Dumbledore's office. This time, he received a note from Dumbledore at breakfast from one of the school owl. All the note had said was that Harry were to meet Dumbledore during lunch time that day.
He was gulping down the last mouthful of meat pie as he turned around a corner. Someone apparently turned the corner at the same time. Harry and that person were thrown back and both staggered for a few steps. Harry nearly choked on his last bite of food.
"Sorry -" Harry immediate shut up his reflex to apologize as he saw who it was that he had collided with.
It was none other than a very foul-mooded Malfoy.
"Potter."
"Malfoy."
If looks could kill, then both of them would have died by then.
They glared at each other for what seemed like ages, both tense up and aching to draw their wand, before one of them moved a muscle.
Malfoy straightened his robes and put his legendary scowl in place.
"Going to see you master now, aren't you?"
"What're you moaning about, Malfoy?"
"You're Dumbledore's pet, aren't you? Always Mr. Potter this, Mr. Potter that. "
"Quit it, Malfoy. " Harry was not very sure what's on Malfoy's mind at that moment. He seemed quite agitated about something.
Harry decided that he didn't really want to play Malfoy's stupid game. With a last disdainful glare at Malfoy, Harry turned to leave. He was alert for any sound of sudden movement as he strode down the corridor, ready to turn or dive at any signs of attack from Malfoy. Not that he really expected Malfoy would dare to attack him in broad daylight.
But thinking deeper, Harry was not sure anyone would dare not to do anything in Hogwarts anymore after last Friday's incidence.
Harry decided from now on he'd rather be safe than sorry.
Soon Harry arrived at the entrance of Dumbledore's office. He gave the password and was admitted inside to the staircase.
Harry knocked on the door and waited.
"Come in."
Harry pushed the door open and entered. Dumbledore was sitting at his usual place.
"Have a seat, Harry." With a casual wave of his hand, the various parchment scattered on the desk piled themselves into a pile and was pushed aside. There were two steaming cups of tea on the desk. Someone must have visited Dumbledore just shortly before. With another wave of his bony hand, Dumbledore made the cup nearer to Harry – the one the previous guest had used – vanished. A new cup appeared instantly with hot honeyed tea. Dumbledore inclined his head to indicate Harry to take the cup.
Harry nodded his thanks and took a sip at the sweetened tea.
"How are you feeling now, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry almost felt he were back when he was just first year – that Dumbledore was a gentle grandfatherly figure, whom Harry had really looked upon to and whom Harry had thought could make no fault.
"I'm much better now, thanks for your concern, Professor. " Harry couldn't help but moved his previously injured shoulder around a bit to test it. It was a bit stiff, but otherwise pain-free.
"I'm glad to know that. Firstly, I want to talk to you about your attack. After our investigation, we think that the creature that attacked you - a shadow ogre – came from the Forbidden Forest. I suppose Remus has talked to you on this creature? "
"Yes, he told me a bit about what you found when you arrived at that corridor. Is there any chance that I was just unfortunate to stumble upon it that night?"
"Well, do you think that's the case?"
Harry contemplated about what had happened and what Remus had told him again. He knew the answer." No. It's just too much of a coincidence for it to find me just when I was roaming the corridor that night, but no one else. And after the creature made the first move against me, the light of that corridor was turned off. Someone must have wanted me to be unable to defend myself in the dark. Also, I heard that the body of the creature was never found. Someone must have wanted to conceal what attacked me."
"Yes, exactly what I thought too," Dumbledore nodded while stroking his long silver beard thoughtfully, "the method of how that person managed to draw that creature on you is still uncertain. But I believe that it has to do with smell. The shadow ogre can discern the smell of its prey very well over long distance. "
"So… it's likely that someone is under Voldemort's order to try to kill me within Hogwarts?"
"It certainly seemed likely. No matter what, you know you have to be more careful now, don't you? "
"I will try."
"I'll keep you informed on the investigation. Meanwhile, I'd like to talk about something else."
Harry nodded.
"I'd like to ask you to re-establish the Dumbledore's Army this year."
"What?" Harry was not sure if he had heard right.
"Of course, theoretically, it will remain an unofficial and underground organization," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling in amazement to the incredulous expression on Harry's face. "Now, you are probably wondering what's the purpose of setting up Dumbledore's Army again, right? "
Harry nodded. "We're having Remus, no, I mean Professor Lupin as the DADA teacher this year. He's really competent in teaching us how to defend ourselves, so why do we still need DA…?"
"DADA is still restricted under the curriculum set by the Ministry. As you probably have noticed by now, it's mostly theory, not very practical. I want my students equipped. We are at the verge of a war, Harry. No matter whether the students are within the confine of Hogwarts or not, they would sooner or later be affected or even worse involved in the war. If we can do something to let them be prepared, if we can let them have even more practical and hand on experience, their chance of survival will be better. But I can't officially fit such practical thing into the formal teaching. So technically, this conversation has never taken place. Do you understand that? "
"I understand … but… I – I'm not really qualified to teach, professor…"
"By the experience last year, I think you are qualified, or should we say competent for the job, Harry. Also, this time you will have the staff's secret support too. You can discuss with Remus later how to organize the lessons, what and how to let the students practice. Also I will invite Auror to assist you. So, can you do me this favour, Harry? "
"Of course, professor… I will try my best." Harry was thankful that Dumbledore had given him a chance to make a difference.
"Thanks, Harry. I really appreciate it. Now, you can discuss with Remus about it later this week. You can go to your class now."
Dumbledore picked up the cup of tea in front of him.
Harry stood up from his chair to leave. His knee accidentally collided with the leg of the table. Harry lost his footing and had to grab the edge of the table abruptly with both of his hands to prevent himself from falling.
His hands pushed the table forward, jogging Dumbledore's arm in the process. The cup he was holding shook violently, its content spilling out of the cup and onto the table. The parchment on the table was soaked with the tea.
"I'm sorry, professor!" Harry made to reach for the pile of soaked parchment, but Dumbledore stopped him.
"Don't touch it!"
As both of them watched, smoke rose from the soaked part of the parchment. Acidic smell filled their nostril as the parchment became eroded and darkened.
With sinking horror, Harry realized there was poison in the tea. And Dumbledore had nearly drunk it.
"Professor – who… how… "
"Thanks, Harry. You saved my gut from a major disaster." Dumbledore gave him a small smile, and than frowned down at the mess on the table. "I'll take care if it, don't worry. Just go to your class now. "
"But, professor - "
"Let me deal with this, Harry."
"Sure, professor." With reluctance, Harry turned and left, his heart beat still racing on the sudden development.
His head was overwhelmed with question and anxiety as he raced towards the potion dungeon.
He was attacked in Hogwarts just three days ago. Dumbledore was just nearly poisoned in his own office.
What could happen next?
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After an exhausting and nastily demanding potion with their least favourite professor, Harry and Hermione went back to Gryffindor common room together, while Ron went to discuss Quittditch team matter with Professor McGonagall.
Harry had not had the chance to tell Hermione and Ron about what had transpired at Dumbledore's office, as Snape was practically breathing down their neck, which made it impossible to converse at all between themselves.
Harry and Hermione settled down in their usual spot beside the fireplace to do their potion homework. Harry decided to wait till Ron come back before telling them about the incident in Dumbledore's office.
Finally, Ron entered through the portrait hole.
"Guess who I have met in the entrance hall during lunch time." Ron said as he settled down in the armchair.
"Just spit it," Harry said while frowning at the potion homework, his brain jammed with names and uses of herbs and ingredients that didn't match with each other.
"It's Percy. Said he was here on 'Ministry business'. He didn't want to tell me what it was, of course. Bet it was about cauldron thickness, or this time robe thickness?"
Thoughts of potion fled as Harry's mind began to process the information.
"You should have seen the expression he wears these days - it's like the whole world owe him. I heard from dad that he's really suffering from working under Fudge, who's cracking under the pressure of the war."
"Ron, I think you should pay more attention to Percy," said Hermione, "Percy is shunted by bad-tempered Fudge. And he is not allowed in the matter of the Order. Who do you think he could now turn to? You better keep a closer eye on him, Ron. "
Ron stared wide-eyed at Hermione. "What are you suggesting? You can't possibly think that Percy. . . that he would . . ."
Harry threw down his quill. "Indeed… now where else could Percy turn to for power?"
"Voldemort." The trio muttered together darkly.
"But that's impossible! He wouldn't …" Ron said, unwilling to believe such a notion even thinkable.
"I'm not saying that he already has done so, but you know what ambitious he can be. There's a high possibility that Fudge would be forced to step down soon. Percy may be dragged down too. Then that's no telling what he might do next… "
They fell into a gloomy silence. Ron kept kicking sullenly at another armchair nearby.
Harry then proceeded to tell them what has happened during his meeting with Dumbledore this afternoon.
Both Ron and Hermione were positively shocked at the fact that the one who tried to poison Dumbledore nearly succeeded.
None of them was keen to voice out the suspect in their mind.
Harry fervently hoped that what they suspect would be wrong.
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"Crabble, Goyle, get me some ice beer. "
"But… Draco, it's beyond the time students can get out of the common room. "
"I want it in front of me in 10 minutes. I don't care how. "
He then ignored their decidedly stupid face and turned. He flung himself down on his usual spot before the fireplace besides Theodore.
"What's wrong this time, Draco? " he looked like he didn't want to talk about it, but from experience, Theodore knew if someone of a higher intelligence level (than Crabble and Goyle at least) talk with Draco when he's in a bad mood, the chance of him doing something rash and extreme because of the bad mood would be lower.
Draco scowled his aristocratic face as if something vile was shoved under his nose. Usually only something… well someone would induce such an expression.
"It's nothing…"
"So, your little trick on Potter has been discovered? " It had never worked to play around with riddles with Draco. He would just keep sidestepping from the topic of interest. Better be blunt with what he wanted to talk about.
Draco's slim eyebrow was raised in slight surprise and exasperation.
"How do you know? I thought I had been discrete. "
"Discrete? You call spilling the portion over Potter at the entrance to the Great Hall where anyone could see discrete?"
"Alright, I forgot who the Dark Creature master is, " Draco shrugged.
"So, what trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?"
"Nothing, really. That old fool just scolded and lectured me. He didn't have solid proof that I was the one behind the attack. And he wouldn't dare do anything even if he did have any proof. I would have laughed out loud at his stupidity, but I don't want him to kick me out of this school yet. Not that I really like it here, just that I've got to stay here, you know what I'm talking about. "
"I see…"
"What I really am angry at, though, is how lucky that Potter has been." The menace in his cold grey eyes grew again.
"If not father has given me specific instruction not to interfere directly, I would have finished Potter after he has luckily beaten the shadow ogre. But, well, I guess I'll just have to wait. The chance will come."
"I always wonder, Draco, what has Potter ever done to earn your special hatred that you even want to kill him yourself? "
"What had he done? Everything."
At that particular moment Crabble and Goyle stumbled back into the common room. They looked as if they had been running. Anyhow, they really got 2 mugs of iced beer with them.
Waving them off with an annoyed expression, Draco took a mug and offered Theodore the other one.
"You still haven't answered my question. "
"Why are you asking this, Theodore? " Draco asked, "you shouldn't have needed to ask. If not for him, our lord would have ruled this world for a long time now. All the muggle and mudblood would not be allowed to live as they are now – free, which has never been meant for creatures as low as them."
"Is it really what you want? To despise, to have control over anything that you deem unworthy?"
"Of course, Theodore. Rule or be ruled. This is the first rule I have ever learnt as a human being. What I'm doing is simply to work towards my goal. I am to rule, not the other way round. "
Theodore didn't really intend for the conversation to take such a way. But he couldn't help but felt resentment towards Draco's ideal. It's something he had been struggling against for a long time, but he had found no way out.
"You think so, only because your life is ruled the moment you're born into the Malfoy family."
"And what's wrong with that?" As if only realizing what he had said after the words had left his mouth, Draco frowned. He picked up his mug and downed it in one go.
His face turned sour, just like the bitter aftertaste of the black beer.
"I'm satisfied with what I'm presented with. I'm proud of my family. I accept that I'll do anything not to be ruled, except perhaps a single person. What's wrong with thinking so? I don't suppose you really have another way out, do you?"
Theodore looked sullenly at his empty mug.
"Just because we haven't found one, doesn't mean that there isn't one." He muttered more to himself than to Draco.
"Well, even if there is one, I will not consider it." Draco said, "what I'm doing is what I want. "
For the first time in his life, Theodore honestly can't tell if his childhood friend's words were genuine or not.
"You're not really thinking of another way, are you? " the dangerous glint in his grey eyes would have intimidated a lot of people.
But not Theodore Nott.
"Well, we have agreed that we would not touch on this subject, haven't we?"
"If you say so," Draco dropped his inquiring gaze and leant back into the armchair. "You know that you're one of the few people that I have respect for, Theodore. I trust that you're smart enough to make the right decision."
"The same goes for me, Draco. I just don't want you to do something you'd regret later. "
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A/N: seems a bit awkward end, but that's all I can give at the moment. Let me know what you think of this chapter!