To my reviewers: This didn't take a week! And everyone who reviewed for both chapters gets another cookie! (Let's use the honor system, now.)
CrimsonTearsOfPain: Oh, I know, I've wanted a Newfoundland in honor of Padfoot for the longest time! I already have two dogs, so I don't think this one will be happening anytime soon….I can dream though…. =P You get a glimpse at the summer this chapter, I hope you like it, thanks for your review, and have a cookie!
Jedi-Sapphire: Really? I am very glad you like it so far! Thank you so much for reviewing, and please have a cookie!
Funness: **dances with you** we will see some more of Sirius in future chapters, because he's the best! Thanks so much for your review, have a cookie!
Serpentsattire: I really can't wait a week to put these out, how long has it been? Like four days? Oh well, I tried…I would never get these out as fast as I do if I wasn't such a fast typer (lol, that's not even a word). It also helps that I never really plan what I am going to write, I just type it out and hope for the best. =P Have another cookie!
TheSilverLady: **bows** Thank you so much, have another cookie!
Wiccan Pussykat: I am SO glad somebody really liked the party scene, I almost cut it while writing it because I thought it went a little off track….but since you liked it…**smiles** Harry-abuse is just around the corner! I left the warning there, but I did cut out the 'letter every three days' line **winks** don't worry, I don't really plan on hooking the five of them up together… Have another cookie! Thanks for the raspberry Popsicle, yummy! (P.S. If you need some inspiration, here's a fic I found myself thinking about…What if the Weasley's had never found Harry at King's Cross his first year? An eleven-year old, alone in the train station…hmmm, I could make that a challenge.)
Lyss33: I hope you aren't still confused…if you are, ask me questions in a review, or email me, and I can explain them. Thank you very much for reviewing, have a cookie!
Paranoiain2005: It didn't even take a week for this one to write itself, I hope you like it. I'm glad you think I am sticking to the book, there's nothing that bothers me more than seeing a plot line trail hopelessly far away from canon….may that never happen here. =P Thank you for your reviews, and have a cookie!
Curlytop: Whew, look at the response a quick rewrite gets! I am so happy you liked those changes; if readers aren't satisfied, the author isn't either. **accepts the jug of milk** thank you! I absolutely love milk; I will drink it every day until I die. Bull's-eye on the Ministry situation, Fudge is as incompetent as ever, and they are still in the dark over Voldie-poo. Here's a peek into the summer, hope you like it, have another cookie…with some milk! (P.S. when I got that review for another story I thought you had lost it! Although, it seemed to fit in some places……)
Tati: Sirius knows about the bond, everyone does by now…except for Voldie. Have a cookie, and thanks for reviewing!
C. Night: If you read on, which I hope you did, you'll see that this curse was cast at Harry's forehead, which was a definite no-no. That's what caused such an extreme reaction, have a cookie, and thanks for your review!
Chapter 14: In Summertime
After Harry took his leave, the others left to their destinations in small groups, leaving Draco to be one of the last to leave with Mrs. Figg.
Arabella finally turned to Draco with a cheerful grin.
"Shall we go then?" she asked.
Draco nodded and followed the old squib out to a black beat-up muggle car. The make and year was unrecognizable, and Draco looked fearfully upon the moldy cushions in the back seat.
"Don't mind the mess, dear," Arabella smiled, "I usually don't make a habit of sitting in the back, so there might be a few stale crumbs back there. You can just brush them off!" Draco opened the squeaky door and flicked a few of the crumbs with his nails. Unfortunately, most chose to stick to their spot on the seat rather than move to the floor, and Draco tentatively sat in the back of the car, amidst the moldy tidbits.
In the front seat, seemingly unaware of the boy's distress, Arabella chatted incessantly about how she found herself living with one foot in the Muggle world and the other in the Wizarding one.
"I use this car to get around, but I do have some magical objects in my possession," she said, "I find that as long as I don't draw attention to myself, the ministry doesn't mind what I keep in my house. I even have my fireplace connected to the floo network. Because my parents were outstanding members in the community, the ministry has yet to revoke my privileges."
Draco made a neutral guttural noise in his throat, while unsuccessfully trying to avoid watching one of the stains on the carpet that looked very suspiciously like something he would never want to come into close contact with.
Potter? Draco asked, wondering if he could reach the Gryffindor.
Wh-what? Harry's thought-speech came back slightly frantic, and Draco was immediately concerned.
Nonchalantly, he informed Harry of the conditions of Mrs. Figg's car, and how he hoped that her house was a cleaner accommodation.
Harry laughed uncertainly, oh yeah, her house is cleaner, but it still smells like old cabbage.
Draco swore in good humor, and after a moment, noticed that Harry wasn't really listening. He found this odd. Throughout the last couple of weeks at Hogwarts, Harry had always been attentive and intuitive. Now he just seemed agitated.
Potter? Draco asked again, Harry?
Hey, Draco, listen, I have to go right now, I will contact you later. Harry said quickly, cutting off his side of the link before Draco could respond.
Bloody fantastic, Draco swore, alone in his head once again.
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Harry's POV:
The Dursley's had finally lost it, they were going to be in so much trouble when Dumbledore and the Order found out. Not like I can do much as it is, I thought, I'll just have to ride it out.
I was used to being threatened by Vernon, but I was not used to having the threats actually carried out. As my Uncle had leaned over to grab my trunk, I could see a hint of a smirk on Dudley's face as my Aunt attempted to comfort him. Jerk, I glared at him, realizing the truth of his ominous statement. It was all a ruse, a way to get me in trouble before I even set foot within Privet Drive. He knew the dementors affected people terribly, but once I thought about it, I realized that they probably had no serious lasting affect on him. What would be his worst memory anyway? Losing his lunch money?
My Aunt and Uncle were totally buying his sob story, about how when he saw me, the memory resurfaced in horrifying detail. Pathetic, I thought, he'll never win like that.
I was wrong.
I could currently find myself cramped within the Dursley's less-than-spacious boot of the car. Vernon had the perfect solution to cure Dudley's terror of sitting in the same car with me, he would simply lock me in the boot, and my trunk could sit in the cab.
Fortunately, I had trained myself to control any claustrophobia while growing up in my cupboard. I concentrated on wiggling my fingers and toes and thinking of the Quidditch pitch, and other wide spaces. Of course, Malfoy chose the most inopportune moment to converge with my thoughts, and the darkness of the trunk began flooding into my mind.
Potter?
Don't panic, I told myself, everything will be fine.
I vaguely remembered that the topic was Mrs. Figg as Draco began babbling, but I couldn't make sense of his words, or, for that matter, mine. I decided to cut off the link and apologize for blowing him off later. I needed to concentrate on wiggling my toes. After he was gone, I thought that maybe I should have told him of my circumstance, but at the moment, I was too shaky to tell him much of anything, What if I ran out of air? Would they hear me pounding on the lid?
I started to hold my breath for short amounts of time, conserving air. I was probably being paranoid, but either way, I didn't want to die like this. Hell, I couldn't die like this; I had to save the world first.
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After what seemed like eternity to Harry, they pulled into Privet Drive and he heard his Uncle pop the lid of the boot. Harry scrambled out as quickly as his numb limbs would allow, and he didn't fail to notice the dirty look Vernon threw his way. He gulped, and moved to the front of the cab to grab Hedwig and his trunk. Dudley and Aunt Petunia had already hurried inside, probably to call his cousin's therapist and announce his relapse. Harry sighed, and pulled at his things, while his Uncle stood towering over him, tapping his foot in a menacing way.
"Get inside, boy," he growled, "and stay in your room today. The last thing I need is for you to aggravate Dudley's condition."
"Yes, Uncle Vernon," Harry muttered, before grabbing his luggage and pulling it inside the house. He would much rather spend time in his room than in the company of his relatives anyway.
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Draco soon discovered, much to his chagrin, that Harry wasn't lying when he had told him of the scent that inhabited Mrs. Figg's house. As cabbages had never been a food he would voluntarily ingest, he was not eager to have the scent of rotting ones in the near vicinity.
I wonder if she's ever tried a good scouring charm. Draco thought to himself, as he wandered throughout the house. He had placed his trunk and other belongings in the room that would be his until he moved into Grimmauld Place, it was a small room, but strangely cozy, with Muggle decorations of yellow and denim. Although the flower bedspread must go, he thought to himself with mild amusement. Looking around at the family portraits on the wall, with non-moving pictures and smiling people enjoying picnic lunches, Draco realized what he had been missing all along.
This is really nothing like home. With a faint pain in his stomach, he realized that he had just referred to Malfoy Manor as his 'home.' The boy sighed; it would take some time to get used to the fact that he no longer had any real home with his parents. I'll just have to make my own home, he thought with determination, from now on, where I go, my home goes. Satisfied with his new decision, the blonde turned into the kitchen to see if Arabella would require help with cooking dinner.
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Later that night, Harry, who was lying in bed without having eaten anything all day, was startled out of a daydream when Draco thought loudly in his head, shit!
Harry bolted out of bed and ran to his window, where he had a clear view across the street of Mrs. Figg's house. The lights were on in one of the bedroom windows upstairs and Harry transmitted his thoughts quickly.
What's wrong? He asked, worriedly, are you alright?
Potter? Draco asked, did you hear that?
Yeah, what happened?
Oh, nothing, I stubbed my toe on, well-it looks like porcelain something or other…actually, and it might be a dog…or a cow…
You stubbed your toe? Harry asked incredulously, wow, that must have hurt. He added with a touch of sarcasm.
Yeah, Potter, thought Draco, now irked, and if you think it doesn't hurt, why don't you just take it?
Without waiting for a response from Harry, Draco opened the link and Harry immediately felt a throbbing ache in his third toe.
Fine, Harry thought, take it back. Draco smirked and, closing the link, asked Harry why he was up so late.
I could ask the same thing of you, Harry shot back.
Well, Arabella and I decided to watch a muggle movie and eat some…popcorn? Is it?
Yeah, Harry was amused, he knew Draco had not had much experience living the Muggle way, but he could sense the excited undertone in Draco's thoughts. What movie did you watch?
It was actually entertaining, it was called, The Wizard of Oz.
Harry smiled, he had seen the movie when he was younger, but had never fully enjoyed it until he had discovered that he himself was a wizard. Yeah, he thought back, that movie was fun.
Did you know that a squib wrote it? Draco asked, L Frank Baum? It was all Arabella would talk about during the movie, said it was an accomplishment squibs everywhere could be proud of.
I'm not surprised, Harry thought, when he remembered that it had been Mrs. Figg who had first shown him the movie, when five year old Dudley and his parents had gone on a vacation to France. When I watched it with her, she had this odd secretive smile on her face; this was before I was told about the Wizarding World.
This was news to Draco. Before you knew? He asked in disbelief, did I hear you right, Potter? You didn't know you were a wizard?
So? Harry asked defensively, it's not like I had any way of knowing, with the Dursley's never saying anything. I was eleven when I first found out.
Wait, let me get this straight. You didn't know you were a Wizard? Draco asked incredulously.
We've said this before, Malfoy. Harry's patience was running thin with this discussion.
What about your parents?
They were dead! Harry suddenly exclaimed, angry at Draco for his ignorance. What could they say?
You misunderstood me, Harry. Draco said quietly, How come you didn't ask how your parents died?
Oh, Harry thought, embarrassed for lashing out, the Dursley's said it was a car crash. I believed it.
Those Muggles tricked you? Draco asked, unbelieving, why?
Harry laughed bitterly; playing tricks on me has always been one of their favorite pastimes. It's not like they were happy to discover I was a wizard.
Why wouldn't they be? Draco was confused; most people would have killed to raise the famous Harry Potter.
Yeah, Harry snorted, well, The Dursley's aren't most people.
You don't really like them, do you, Potter? Draco asked him slowly.
You might say that, Harry laughed.
Why not? Draco said, they are your family.
Only in blood, Harry told him. I thought you would understand that.
My family disowned me, Potter, Draco said bluntly, the end.
But you must care? Harry asked him.
It's hard to explain, Potter, Draco told him carefully. I don't understand it mys-
Draco's thoughts were interrupted by a loud crash down the hallway. Oh no, he thought.
What? What is it? Harry wondered why Draco had suddenly interrupted himself.
Someone's here, Draco sounded worried, and Harry began to panic.
Who would come this late at night? He asked.
Nobody I know, Draco told him, listen, I have to go and see if Arabella's alright. If anything happens…he trailed off uncertainly.
Stick to the plan, Harry told him firmly, I'll be right here.
You get help if something happens. Draco cut off the link before Harry could respond, and he opened his bedroom door very carefully. There was no light in the hallway leading out to the living room, except a small nightlight in the bathroom, which cast dark shadows down the interior of the hallway. There was no sign of the elderly squib anywhere within her bedroom next door to Draco's, and the empty feeling in the house sent shivers down the Slytherin's spine. Pull yourself together, Draco commanded himself, you are way too old to be afraid of the damn dark.
Draco crept cautiously down the hall, pausing to listen for any other signs of life. His heart was pounding in his ears, and his breath caught in his throat as he froze, hearing the wooden floor of the family room creak. She's probably getting a glass of water or something, Draco told himself slowly, she'll see you creeping around, laugh, and offer you some tea. Then you can get back to bed.
He swallowed convulsively as he turned the corner into the kitchen, to see a slight form lying motionless upon the tiled floor. A strangled cry left his throat as, abandoning all caution, he rushed forward to where Arabella's lifeless form lay. He exhaled in horror, and a few choice words escaped his mouth quietly. He was strangely detached from the entire situation as the rational side of his mind told him that someone was still in the house with him. He spun around to see the shadow of a person lurking around the other door, wand raised. Draco's hand automatically went to his sleeve, where he always kept his wand on him. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his nerves and tiptoed towards the door. Once he stunned the intruder, he could contact Potter, and then Dumbledore would fix everything. Draco was halfway towards the door now, a silent mantra within his thoughts, stupefy, stupefy, stupefy.
The figure behind the door was stealthily awaiting his approach. Draco found himself hesitating, Was he unaware, or just lying in wait? Draco knew that he would not be caught unawares again, and he determinedly took another step forward. Flinging open the door, he opened his mouth to curse the stranger…and dropped his wand in shock. "Potter?"
Harry was just as surprised as Draco, sighing in relief, "Oh, it's you."
"Who the hell would it be?" Draco asked him, "What are you doing?"
"I thought you might need some help," he explained, "the door was unlocked, and all I saw was someone leaning over a body. I thought you were dead." He added as a quiet afterthought.
"Sorry, Potter," Draco smiled slowly, "you're still stuck with me." His smile faded and he grew somber as he told Harry, "Mrs. Figg's dead."
"You're sure?" Harry asked anxiously, "sometimes people just stop breathing."
"She looks dead," Draco shrugged sadly.
"She is dead," Lucius Malfoy assured them, as he stepped out from the shadows of the dining room. "We killed her."
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"We?" Harry asked stupidly. Draco could have smacked the other boy, as three other Death Eaters stepped out of the shadows. Draco recognized them immediately, McNair, Goyle and Pettigrew. They would be easy targets, he thought, as he scanned the room peripherally for an escape route. The only one Draco really feared was Lucius. You don't become a part of Voldemort's inner circle by being a terrible dueler.
"Wormtail," Harry spat angrily, and Draco remembered too late that Harry carried a personal vendetta against the rat. The Gryffindor picked up a frying pan and flung it at the man's face. Everyone leapt into action, and Draco inwardly cursed his partner's hastiness.
What were you thinking? He asked Potter, dodging a Cruciatus and Imperious from McNair. He shot a body-binding spell at Goyle senior, who fell to the ground heavily.
Harry, who had been forced to roll to the ground to retrieve his wand, was caught between Pettigrew, whose nose was bleeding, and Lucius, who was cursing him incessantly. "Protego," he yelled, and Pettigrew was shot with his own stunner. I don't think, Malfoy, I act!
"Yeah, stupidly," Draco muttered under his breath. You are getting us killed!
The Order should be here any second! Harry argued, and the concentration it took to debate with Draco caused him to slow in his defenses. Lucius shot a pain curse at Harry's leg, and it was sliced open close to the bone. Screaming, Harry sunk to the ground, cradling the bleeding femoral artery. His vision began to go hazy from blood loss, and he heard Draco curse in the distance.
"Imagine our delight," Lucius began, approaching Harry with his wand raised, "when we come to punish my disloyal son, and we find the famous Harry Potter by his side. That fool Dumbledore had no idea that I had long ago placed a locator charm on dear Draco…and look how it has paid off."
Harry gasped in pain, and struggled to reach his wand, which had slipped from his hands and landed a foot away. Lucius was savoring his victory, raising his wand slowly, coming nearer every second. Harry closed his eyes, still groping for protection less than six inches away.
Harry, Draco gasped within his mind, having been hit with a Cruciatus from McNair before finally stunning him. Open the link, give me your pain.
Have you lost your mind? Harry screamed in agony, you'll die!
I don't think I will, and you will be able to surprise him…now, do it! Draco commanded him, and Harry opened the link, letting Draco take away the pain in his thigh, immediately feeling strength flood back into his body. Across the room, Draco collapsed, clutching his leg, moaning in pain.
Lucius raised his wand, and the curse died on his lips, as Harry rolled away from him with lightning speed. Using his seeker reflexes, Harry snatched up his wand and turned to the shocked Lucius, "Stupefy!" he screamed, and Draco's father collapsed in an unconscious heap, as the door burst open to reveal numerous Order members, looks of terror upon their faces.
"Help us…" Harry whispered as he opened the link again to take back his injuries.
And the floor rushed up to meet him.
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"Enervate!" McGonagall whispered, and Harry blinked open his eyes slowly. "Mr. Potter that was a foolishly dangerous stunt you pulled." She chastised him gently, as Sirius applied healing charms to Harry's leg.
"Draco?" He asked groggily, pulling himself to his feet with Remus's aid.
"He'll live," Dumbledore told him gently, tightening the ropes binding the four stunned Death Eaters, "but I can not say the same for Arabella." He added sadly.
Harry felt hot tears threaten to slip down his face at the confirmation, and he turned away from the crowd regain control of himself. Tonks was sobbing quietly in the corner, and Mundungus Fletcher looked devastated down at Mrs. Figg's body.
Snape suddenly stepped forward from the group, "Headmaster, we shouldn't linger here." He said firmly, "The ministry will be swarming here."
"And I intend to meet them when they do," Dumbledore told him, "they need instructions on how to handle the captives, and I also do not wish for Dolores to remain at Hogwarts any longer." Suddenly, Harry felt inexplicable giddiness at Umbridge's name, and he started to laugh deliriously, drawing sympathetic glances from those around him.
"Harry," Remus began, starting forward to calm the boy.
But Sirius caught Harry as his knees weakly gave out and the boy laid his head back against his godfather's shoulder, mumbling incomprehensible things.
"Harry, it's alright," Sirius told him, "we are taking you and Draco to the Dursley's, and you'll stay there until we can arrange safer transport to headquarters."
Harry was too overwhelmed to argue, and he simply nodded, closing his eyes in an attempt to relax. He realized that Moody was talking to him, and he turned his head in his general direction.
"That was a brave thing you did, Potter," he growled, "You and the Malfoy boy."
"How did you know to come?" Harry asked weakly.
"Severus told us how Lucius was bragging about the charm on his son, it was then that we realized what we had done, placing you two so close together. We didn't expect an attack yet, but we hurried here quickly, in time to see Mundungus and Bill Weasley, stunned in the front garden…they were on watch duty." Dumbledore explained quietly, "Fortunately, the two of you handled yourselves very well, or we might have had more than one casualty on our hands." Harry nodded, it all made sense now…he relaxed into Sirius's arms, who lifted him from the floor easily and asked him if he was eating anything.
Harry didn't answer him, he was fast asleep.
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END OF CHAPTER 14!
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