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Without further ado…

Chapter 19

Draco POV

My life had become a living hell. The summer passed agonizingly slow as my home was invaded by the masses of Death Eaters and the Dark Lord's followers. Father had been released from Azkaban but, as punishment for failing Him, the Dark Lord had decided our home would be the base of operations. With a revolving door of Death Eaters, frequent visits from the Dark Lord, and the never-ending screams of those locked in the dungeon, I couldn't get out of their fast enough.

I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I should have taken Dumbledore up on the offer he'd made to me that night on the Astronomy Tower. He could keep me safe, my family safe. His Order would be able to hide us. But instead, I had been responsible for his death. Snape, through my actions, had been able to kill him. As his lifeless body had fallen to the ground far below, I knew my chances of escape had just vanished.

I spent all summer concocting a plan, one that depended very heavily on people who had no reason to trust me. I would return to Hogwarts and, thought I knew she must still hate me, I would try and talk to Ginny. She was the one connection I had to the people who could hide me. I didn't want to hurt her further, but maybe by doing this she'd see I had changed. Maybe, just maybe, she would learn to trust me again. I knew that was probably too much to hope for though.

If she wouldn't speak with me, then I would try a different tactic. It was no secret that some of the professors were on Dumbledore's side, maybe even members of the Order of the Phoenix. If I could just get one of them to listen to me, maybe I could still escape. If I went to the wrong one though, it could spell disaster. They really would have no reason to believe me.

That left only the threat to Mother's life that would stop me. Unless they could get her out and get her safe, none of my plan would work. I could not risk her life to save my own. But even Dumbledore had said he could get her out, get her to safety. That was before our home had become the base of operations though. I wasn't sure what to do, but I knew I had to try something.

When I arrived at Hogwarts, my plan was simple: deflect suspicion and then find Ginny. I would need to give it some time, play my part for a while and make sure nobody suspected anything. There would be many, many eyes on me this year. Once it was safe though, I hoped my plan would fall into place.

My plans changed upon arrival to the school. As Snape gave a welcome speech and the first years were sorted, my eyes scanned the hall. There was not a single Weasley to be found. It took weeks before I was able to escape prying eyes and approach Professor McGonagall. I figured she was my best bet, most likely in the Order herself.

She had been surprised, to say the least, to have me knocking on her door in the middle of the night, but had allowed me in anyway. I spent an hour talking, describing my conflicted feelings and the offer Dumbledore had made me the night of his death. It was pretty obvious that this woman didn't trust me, but she listened respectfully anyway.

I didn't tell her about Ginny, didn't ask the question that burned in me. Where was she? Was she safe? Instead I talked of Mother, and how I needed to keep her safe too. "Unless you can help both of us, I may as well walk out of here and pretend this conversation never happened," I told the old woman in her dressing gown.

"Mr. Malfoy," she sighed, tuck a stray hair back into her bun and gazing at me over her spectacles. "Albus always said there was good in you." She was quiet for a long moment, gazing over at the fire crackling in the hearth. Finally, she looked back over at me. "Go back to your dormitory for now. We will not speak of this to anyone. Let me contact my sources and see what we can do. But heed my words, if this is a trick, you will rue the day you came to me." And somehow, I knew she was right. This woman was fierce and not to be messed with.

"It's not a trick," I assured her, getting to my feet. "How will I know when you decide?"

"Always be ready," she said, standing too. "I'll come to you when the time is right."

And so, I waited. Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into a month. I let myself fall into the rhythm of the school year, going to classes and patrolling the halls in the evenings. To keep up appearances, I had to send my fair share of students to the Carrow's for punishment. It made me sick to do, but my mask of indifference showed nothing.

One night in late October I was approached by a tabby cat along my nightly rounds. The cat was familiar, with markings around its eyes. I had seen this cat before. Professor McGonagall had shown us her Animangas form several times over the years in Transfiguration classes. I froze as the cat's piercing eyes met mine. Turning, she began to walk away.

I followed without a word, making sure to look casual as I did so, just in case anyone happened across me. She walked a way ahead of me, hugging the shadows along the wall. I passed one other person patrolling the halls, a Slytherin boy a year below me. He nodded towards me and I nodded back, my footsteps never faltering.

She led me to a long-abandoned classroom on the fifth floor. Inside a fire was burning in the hearth. The cat sat there for a second before transforming back into the stern professor I had known for years. "The floo will only be open for moments," she said, striding over to the fire, glancing at her watch. "At precisely midnight, go to this address." She handed me a slip of paper and bag of floo powder. "You'll have less than a minute, so don't dally."

"What about Mother?" I asked, grasping the floo powder tightly. "Will she be safe?"

"A plan is underway as we speak to get your mother to safety. Unfortunately, you'll not be able to see her. This is a huge risk, getting you both out. Either location might be compromised because of it, so we cannot risk you being together. You'll be informed if anything goes wrong. If you hear nothing, that's because it worked. We cannot risk communication between our safe houses unless absolutely necessary."

I nodded in understanding, relieved they had a plan for Mother, even if I didn't get to see her. "Where am I going?" I asked, looking at the address on the paper.

"It's a secure, safe place. You'll stay there for a few days before being sent on to one of our safe-houses," she said, glancing once more at her watch. "You'll be interrogated to make sure you're not lying. The same will happen with your mother. They will ask you to take veritaserum. I suggest you do as they say and take it. You won't be allowed to leave that place until you do."

I nodded in understanding, having expected no less. "Thank you," I said, sincerely grateful. "For everything."

"You're just a child in this war," she said, her eyes softening. "No child should have to suffer, not even you, Mr. Malfoy." She was quiet for a moment before handing me a pocket watch. "Precisely at midnight, not a moment later. I'll keep watch and make sure nobody stops you. Good luck." With that, she sunk back down into her cat from and disappeared into the dark night.

I looked down at the watch. I only have three minutes until it struck midnight and I made my escape. While I waited, I took stock of what I had on me. I would have liked to have the time to pack a bag, but I would make due without one. Instead of having spare clothes and shoes, I had a pouch full of coins deep in my pocket. She said always be ready, so I took to carrying it on me at all times. It would be enough to get whatever I needed. The only other thing I had was my wand.

It wasn't much but it would do. Eyes glued to the watch, I tracked the second hand as it went around, bringing midnight closer. Finally, right as it struck midnight, I tossed the floo powder into the fire and spoke the address I'd been given. Seconds later I stepped from the fireplace of an unfamiliar house in a cozy sitting room. Standing in front of me was the massive figure of Kingsley Shacklebolt. His arms were crossed and his wand was gripped in one hand. He looked relaxed but I knew without a doubt he would be able to jump into action in a second.

"Mr. Malfoy," his deep voice rumbled, eyeing me. "Come with me."

He led me deeper into the unfamiliar house to a room with two other men. I recognized Remus Lupin from his year as a professor but the other person was unfamiliar. "Please, sit Draco," Lupin said, gesturing to a chair.

I did as he said, taking a seat at the small table in the room. The other three men stood, watching me wearily, obvious distrust in their eyes. Once the formalities were out of the way I took the proffered veritaserum and answer their questions for hours, as long as the veritaserum worked. It was early morning before they finally stopped, satisfied with my answers. "So, what now?" I asked, glad the potion was wearing off. I knew it was necessary, but I hated having no control over my words.

"You'll stay here for the next few days while we get ahold of our safe-houses to see who can take you in," Kingsley said as the other two men departed. "There is a room down the hall. You may sleep there. Do not leave the house. If you leave, you'll no longer be under our protection and you will not be able to come back."

I nodded, following him back into the hall. He showed me to a room I could sleep in and I gladly laid down. The sun was rising outside the window but I hadn't slept at all the night before. Exhaustion overtook me and I slept the rest of the day through. Kingsley, who I realized owned the house I was staying in, made sure I was fed and comfortable in the short time I was there. Before long however, he informed me that they'd found a safe-house willing to take me.

"Her name is Muriel and she's not the easiest person to get along with," he said in his deep, rumbling voice. "She's only got one other person living with her, a great niece of hers, so the house isn't crowded. Once you're there, you cannot leave. The entire point of sending you is to keep you safe. If you leave, you won't be under our protection anymore. Muriel comes and goes though, so if you need anything she can pick it up for you."

I nodded, not particularly liking the idea of being locked up for an indeterminable amount of time, but grateful all the same. "Have you heard anything about my mother?" I asked. He seemed to be in a position of leadership, so if anyone knew I figured she would.

"She's safe and staying at another safe-house," he said, making me breathe a sigh of relive. "Her sister actually offered to take her in, despite the fact they hadn't spoken in years. Andromeda seems quite happy about it."

I had heard of my Aunt Andromeda on occasion growing up, but my knowledge of her only went so far as to know she was disowned when she married a muggle. She was the twin sister of Bellatrix, obviously the sane one of the two. I hoped mother would be able to mend their relationship while living with her.

"Thank you," I said, shoving my hands into my pockets. "When do I go to this Muriel's house?"

"Now, if you wish. Do you have your things together?" he asked. He had provided me with some spare clothes seeing as I only had what I'd been wearing when I came. They weren't nearly the quality I was used to, but I didn't complain. The few clothing items and my robes I'd been wearing before were in a small knapsack Kingsley had also given me.

I nodded and headed back to the bedroom I had used temporarily and grabbed the already packed bag from the bed. When I returned, Kingsley was getting Floo powder out of a cabinet. "She's expecting you. Best not keep her waiting," he said, offering me his hand. I grasped it and shook. "Good luck Draco."

Taking a handful of the powder, I tossed it into the fire and spoke the address. Seconds later I was whisked away into an unfamiliar sitting room for the second time this week. In front of me, sitting on a sofa, was a large, old woman. "Good, you're here," she said, forcing her bulk up and getting to her feet before looked towards the hall and calling out to her niece. "Ginny, our guest in here!"

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