Chapter 5: Prisoner's Dilemma

The dungeons were cold, a few hours here would set a chill that could be felt in the bones for days. The stone floors were kept wet, the lighting - if it could be considered that- was so dim that you could only ever see a few feet away, and a silence had been casted over the dungeons, one that made it impossible to hear even your own breathing. Being in the capital dungeons was a fate worse than death, a prisoner would be considered lucky if the hourly released dementors would kiss them as they've been occasionally allowed to do, all except for one.

Neville stood in front of the last cell in the dungeon, shivering; The coldest section of the dungeons and the farthest.

"Ahh, Prince Neville…"A feeble voice said, interrupted by bouts of coughing. "Under different circumstances….my bewilderment would be quite visible but I suppose I am glad to be heard."

Neville couldn't hear the shackles move, but he watched as the old man entered his view. The elderly man was grotesque looking, his skin clung to his bones so tightly that it was hard to differentiate between the two. Neville could imagine if you looked closely, you could see his very heart beating against his nonexistent chest. He looked like ice, his hair and beard had grown beyond their normal length, reaching to the floor. His nails had grown so long they had curled. It was bizarre to believe that this anemic creature, barely able to drag its chain, was once the Emperor's greatest enemy..

"I'm not here for you. I came looking for my brother, " Neville said indignantly.

"It's unfortunate… I've not seen Harry in some time…I do hope he took my advice on that young lady."

Neville came closer to the cell. "And what advice would an icicle like you have to offer?"

"Youth tends to be spent…. in the confines…of one's head. I-I-," Dumbledore attempted, coughing with such violence he collapsed to the floor. Gasping as he picked himself up, "You'll…have to excuse me…"

From where Neville could see, the man was shaking as he attempted to get back up. The emperor's greatest enemy reduced to this. "Pathetic," Neville spat.

"Indeed."

Neville turned away from the cell, walking away from the display.

"You…are…brother's kee..."

Neville stopped, turning back to the cell. "What did you say?"

The frail man finished another bout of coughing.

"You are not …your brother's keeper."

Neville narrowed his eyes, "Why the fuck would you say something like that?"

"Your brother…he seemed to believe… that was his job, took quite a toll on…"Dumbledore said, coughing deeply, "As powerful as you are, you…are your own person. No one… is in charge of you, Neville."

"Funny, a creature like you can get it, but no one else."

"Make them."

Dumbledore began coughing, this time curling up into a ball. Neville stared at him for a few seconds.

"What a waste of time," Neville said, turning to the exit of the dungeon.

It didn't take too long before he made his way to the main castle ballroom. All around him, families were talking, drinking and eating from trays served by house-elves and muggles. A few of Malfoy's assistants were off to the side, standing like soldiers alongside the guards. At the far end of the room, the Queen, his mother, sat on an elevated platform on a throne that was one step below his fathers. There a line of people stood waiting to get a chance to talk to the Queen, who spoke on behalf of the Emperor and next to her a servant stood, holding the baby.

"Prince Neville! What an honor to be in your presence. Now, I know your brother usually handles these sorts of requests, but I could not find him. "

Neville looked at the approaching woman, she was a big one with a round face. A Crabbe. She grabbed his hand, kissing it. Neville stared at her.

"I spoke with your wife! It's good to hear that you've been in better spirits. I know the past year-"

"What do you want?"

The woman seemed taken aback. "Well-I- I know the royal family is busy, but It would be an honor to have a member of the royal family attend my son's Crabbe's wedding this summer. I was hoping we could arrange some kind of….exchange to reward my son on this honorable endeavor. "

Neville grabbed a drink from a passing house-elf, there he took it back, drinking the entire glass. He wiped his mouth, eyeing the woman. "Well, don't waste my time."

"My son is academy trained. However, He hasn't had an opportunity to show himself approved due to his failing practicals. If he could, however, get your brother's endorsement to the board, I believe he would make an excellent death eater, and I think our family could offer a few of the finest muggles and sizable offerings from our wedding."

"My brother's endorsement? I run the appointment of deatheaters."

"Well, of course, Prince Neville, but the Black Prince, I hear, is over all of it.."

Neville rolled his eyes. "That was only when I was…"

Behind the lady, Neville could see Draco Malfoy talking with his wife, Lavender.

Neville rubbed his temple, "My wife will attend the wedding, and I'll get my brother to talk to the board."

"Oh, Bless the Emperor, you are truly kind and gracious!"

Neville grabbed another drink as he made his way through the crowd, shaking hands, talking with various families who wanted to discuss their problems and get rewarded for them. It was a nice cycle, another drink, another family, another request, another drink, another family, another request...

"We heard that you had a sizable chunk of land in the Black District that we might be willing to give if your brother were to think about sending our district a few more shipments."

"Is your brother taking requests for wives? Our family has a prestigious…"

"We want to partner with you and your brother for our new broom business."

"We're trying to get the academy to buy our land, if you're brother could send more patrols this way, we might be able to-"

Neville downed another drink. "Sure."

"Sure?" Lavender questioned, grabbing his hand, "You and your brother are ridiculous. It's your sister! Do you even care?"

"I was getting around to it," Neville said as Lavender dragged him through a sparse ballroom. He managed to grab one more drink, before he was brought to the elevated platform where his mother sat, her chair vacant. The baby was still in the servant's hands.

Neville pulled himself from Lavender, finishing the drink, he approached the servant, who was rocking and cooing the sleeping baby. Lavender placed her hand on his back, pushing him forward.

The servant eyed Neville and smiled. "Would you like to hold her, Your Grace?"

"Yes, he would," Lavender replied..

The servant motioned her head, and began moving the baby to put in his arms. Neville held his arms out, grabbing the baby and holding her in his outstretched arms, where she began squirming. Neville stared at her for a few seconds as she continued to squirm.

The servant came closer. "My Lord, it might be better…if you cradle her."

Neville ignored her and continued staring at the baby as it squirmed even further in his arms. A few seconds later, the baby began to cry. Without hesitation, Neville shoved the baby back into the servant's arm, who rushed her away to calm her down.

Lavender leaned over, and kissed him on the cheek. Pulling away, she whispered in his ears, "We should get started on our own, you think?"

"Where is your brother?"

Neville turned to see his Mother coming back to her seat, followed by one of Draco's assistants. Who was fixing one of the Queen's diamonds that was stitched in her robe.

"I've been wondering the same? I haven't seen him all night, " Lavender replied, "it's unlike him."

Neville laughed.

Lavender tugged on his shoulder, "What are you laughing about?"

Neville brought his palm to his forehead. "I knew I forgot something. Harry is sick."

"Sick?"

Neville gestured outside, "Yes, and I forget because I was too busy trying to fix these stupid fucking outfits. I mean, really, why do we pay so much for these garments? They're cheap materials."

His mother stared at him. "It will be fine today. Your father just postponed our family meeting, there have been some developments across the pond, but we will send for you both when he returns.."

"Of course, Mother." Neville replied, turning from the platform. "Now, if you'll excuse me."

"Please be cautious, my son. We need to be more vigilant than ever."

Neville tossed his hand up lazily, "Of course."

"Neville, where are you going? Are we leaving?" Lavender asked, following him.

"I need to speak to one more person. I'll meet you at home," Neville said, moving toward the outside balcony.

Moving out toward the balcony, it was empty besides one guard and one of Draco's assistants that stood by the door. On the far end, Draco stood, leaned against the balcony, puffing a pipe, and looking at the city below. Draco blew out smoke and turned toward Neville.

"The fabric used on your robe costs more than some countries spend in a month, you uneducated piece of shit. "

Neville replied. "Word gets back quick, huh?"

"So it does. What can I help you with?"

"I need your services."

"Whatever designs you need, talk to my assistant. We'll get it done after your wife's."

Neville let out a small chuckle that turned into a tight-lipped stare. "Your other services."

Draco took a puff of his pipe. "I'm unsure of what you're talking about?"

Neville nodded. "In that case, you'll be fine with the raids we'll be running in your district. Would hate for you to feel unsafe making all that…fabric."

Draco gestured toward the balcony he was leaning on, turning to look back at the city. Neville came closer, leaning against the balcony.

"What do you know?"

Neville shrugged, "Coming back, My brother seemed particular interested to see your unprecedented expansion between the districts. For whatever reason, I know he was going to have a raid done during his wedding day. Me? I don't give a shit. In fact, I'm thinking I can finally respect you if you can do what I need you to do?"

"Is that so?" Draco asked. Taking a long drag from his pipe, he blew the smoke in Neville's face. "And what might you need me to do?"

Neville moved closer. "I need you to give me someone to stand in for Harry…while he's gone."

"Stand-in?"

"I need someone that can pretend to be Harry."

"And where is your brother?"

"I don't know. If he was in danger, I would know by now, but it's been quiet for now. " Neville replied, "But while I look for him, I need everyone to think he's here."

"How brotherly you are."

"Can you do this? If this gets done, I can guarantee you some serious galleons."

Draco put his finger on top of the bowl of his pipe. Stuffing it in his robe pocket, he leaned away from the balcony, "Unfortunately, I'm uninterested in this arrangement."

"What?"

Draco made his way toward the door. "You're a dear friend, but my expertise is in fabrics and upholstery. Just as yours is in battle."

Neville felt his face flush red, and between clenched teeth, he muttered, "And what of those raids?"

An assistant whispered into Draco's ear. Draco whispered something back before turning back to Neville.

"It's getting late. Best of luck, Your Grace."