Chapter 23
Narcissa just stared at Draco then said,
"Ginny Weasley as in the Minister's niece?" Draco nodded and went back to pacing. Narcissa let out a sigh, gently grabbed Draco's arm and pulled him next to her on the bed. She then said, "Well you tell her the truth and if she stays with you great if not it's okay." Draco then looked at his mom and asked,
"Why does father hate me mama? Did I do something to make him hate me?" Narcissa pulled her son into a hug and said,
"He doesn't hate you. He is just very stuck in his ways. He truly believes that Voldemort knows best and that all non-pure bloods are less than human, especially muggleborns. He tries to force his opinions onto everyone around him. It also has a lot to do with how he was raised too. The best thing to do is when it comes to having to deal with your father is smile and nod. He does love you, he just doesn't know how to show it." Draco nodded. Narcissa kissed him on the head and said, "You know I love you right?" Draco smiled,
"Yes Mama I know you do!"
"Good now get washed up it's time for dinner!"
A week later Harry received the following letter from Draco.
Dear Harry,
I am so sorry that I missed your birthday party. Something came up and I will explain on the train. Happy belated Birthday."
Your friend,
Draco Malfoy
Harry smiled at the letter. School came fast. Harry met his friends on the train platform. They slowly boarded. Harry got on first followed by Hermione, Ginny, Ron, Neville, and Luna. They all filled into a compartment. Draco joined them after the train left the station. He poked his head in and said,
"Hey guys can I talk to Ginny alone for a minute please." Ginny stood up and followed Draco to the luggage compartment. After making sure they were alone, Draco sat Ginny down on a trunk and said,
"Ginny something happened over the summer and I want you to know that it doesn't change how I feel about you."
"Draco what happened?" Draco took a deep breath and pulled up his left sleeve to reveal the outline of the dark mark. He pulled his sleeve down and hung his head in shame. Ginny pulled his head up forcing him to look her in the eyes. "Did you have a choice?" Draco shook his head. "Then I don't care." She put her hand on the back of his neck and pulled him into a kiss. After a few minutes, they walked back to the train car hand in hand. Draco opened the door and they walked in. He closed the door and sat next to Ginny. He then cleared his throat and said,
"So I have something to tell you guys." Everyone stopped talking and looked at him. Draco then said,
"So over the summer I was forced into doing something I didn't want to do. My father forced me to join the dark-side. This changes nothing between us. I am still the same Draco. There just may be times when I am a jerk to your guys and it is because I have a part to play. If I do or say anything that seems out of the ordinary I don't mean it." At first no one said anything then Neville asked,
"Do you have the dark mark?" Draco nodded. Ron swallowed and Harry quickly squeezed his arm. Luna then said,
"Just because he has the dark mark doesn't mean he is evil." Draco smiled and Harry then said,
"Draco I don't hold it against you. You are one of my best friends and if you say that you didn't have a choice and that you want nothing to do with it then I trust you." Everyone in the car nodded in agreement. The train soon arrived at Hogsmeade Station and the school year began.
About two months into the year, Harry received a letter from Dumbledore telling him to meet him in his office after dinner. Harry showed the letter to Hermione and she nodded. After dinner,
Harry went to Dumbledore's office. He said the password, 'Lemon Drop' and climbed the stairs. Upon entering Harry noticed the office was empty apart from a large cauldron in the middle of the room. Harry walked over and looked in and got sucked into a memory.
He saw a young boy sitting alone in a room. He was sitting on the bed staring off into space. Then the door opened and in walked an older lady and someone who looked like a young version of Dumbledore. The young Dumbledore sat down in the chair across from the boy and they talked. Harry couldn't hear what was being said even with his wolf hearing. The boy nodded and Dumbledore left.
Harry felt himself being lifted up. He was soon back in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore was standing next to Harry. This caused him to jump back and Harry just stared at Dumbledore for a minute. Without missing a beat Albus said,
"That was a young Tom Riddle. He was in a horrible muggle orphanage when I found him. Mrs. Cole noticed some accidental magic and she notified me."
"So Voldemort didn't grow up with parents either?" Dumbledore shook his head then said,
"So have a seat Harry. I called you here because there is something I need to discuss with you. Do you know anything about Horcruxes?" Harry shook his head. Albus continued,
" A horcrux is an object in which a Dark witch and wizard has hidden a fragment of his or her soul in the purpose of attaining immortality. One can only create a Horcrux after committing murder. Voldemort made 7 horcuxes. Two have been destroyed, this ring and the diary. I am in the process of trying to locate the other 5. I will send word when I do. You can go now." With that Dumbledore went to his desk and sat down. Harry just stood there trying to process all that he had just heard. Albus looked up and said, "Did you need something Harry?"
"I have about 100 questions running through my head right now."
"All your questions will be answered when the time is right. I promise." Harry turned and left the office as he knew he wasn't going to get any answers tonight. He started walking and got lost in his thoughts. He soon found himself by the Black Lake. He walked around the lake a few times. He didn't even know where to start sorting out his head so he decided to go talk to Hermione. He walked back inside and straight to the Library where his friends, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna, Neville, Dean, and Seamus were all doing homework helping each other out. Harry walked over behind Hermione and put his arms around her shoulders. She looked behind her and smiled. He said,
"Mona can I talk to you for a minute alone?" Hermione nodded and stood up, as she did Blaise said,
"Ooooh two lovebirds going off alone to 'talk'." Draco threw a book at him. Everyone laughed. Harry and Hermione walked over to an empty corner and she cast an Imperturbable Charm around them.
"What did Dumbledore want?"
"He called me to his office and two things happened. I went into a pensieve and I saw a memory of Voldemort as a young boy. He was in a muggle orphanage. A young Dumbledore came and talked to him, not sure what about I am guessing about him going to Hogwarts. Then after I came out of the pensieve Dumbledore sat me down and told me all about Horcruxes and how Voldemort made 7 of them. Two of them, a ring and a diary have been destroyed and as soon as he figures out what the others are and where they are he is going to let me know. I am not what to think about all this?" Hermione was silent for a minute then she said,
"Well he probably told you about the Horcruxes because in order for you to defeat Voldemort you first have to destroy the remaining 5 Horcruxes."
"I think that you are right. The items would be something that has a special meaning to Voldemort."
"We will have to do some research and figure it out. We should look in the library when we are not in here doing homework. I also don't want anyone else to find out." Hermione kissed Harry and said,
"Of course. I won't say anything until you tell me too. We will search together." The two walked back over to the group and continued working on homework.
Two months later during breakfast, Draco received a letter from his father informing him of a death eater meeting the next morning. Draco swallowed his food and placed the letter in his robe pocket. His last class of the day was Potions. After the lesson was over before dismissing the class, Severus said,
"Mr. Weasley don't forget that you have detention with me 6 am. Don't be late." Once the class and been dismissed and everyone had left, Draco went up to Severus' desk and said,
"Uncle Sev, can I talk to you for a minute please?" Severus flicked his wand and cast 'Colloportus' on the door. He then cast an Imperturbable Charm on the room. He looked up at his Godson and said,
"This has to do with the meeting tomorrow morning doesn't it?" Draco looked at his godfather and said,
"Yes but how did you know?"
"Your father sent me a letter telling me to make sure that you made it." Draco sat down at the first table and said,
"I hate all of it. I have been avoiding my friends so I don't hurt them or hurt their feelings. I am trying to avoid Ginny but that is not possible. Every few days somehow she finds me and drags me off to the room of requirement and she holds me while I cry. I didn't ask for this and I don't want it." He pulled up a sleeve and began to scratch his arm. Severus got up and walked over and took Draco's arm and wrapped his arms around him. Draco cried in Severus' embrace. After a few minutes, Draco sat up and wiped his eyes. Severus then said,
" Draco remember that no matter what happens, be true to who you are and that will be what helps you make the best decisions." Draco nodded then asked,
"What do you do if you are being made to choose between what you know is right and side with your friends or what you know is wrong and side with your parents?" Severus thought for a minute then said,
"Well it comes down to who do you feel is more your family, your parents or your friends?"
"My friends treat me better than my father does but my mother would do anything to protect me." Severus smiled,
"Then I think you have your answer, Draco." Draco thanked his godfather and walked back to his dorm. He went up to his room and sat down on his bed. He got lost in his thoughts. He didn't even notice that the time was slipping away. Soon it was time to get ready to leave. Draco slipped quietly out of the dorm being sure not to wake his roommates. He walked quietly to Severus' office. He knocked on the door and the door was opened. Severus sat at his desk. Draco walked in and sat down. About 5 minutes later, there was another knock on the door. Once again Severus flicked his wand and opened the door. Ron walked in and yawned. He saw Draco and Draco saw Ron. Draco looked at Severus and said,
"Professor Snape, why is Ron here?" Severus looked at Ron who swallowed and said,
"Please don't say anything to anyone else." Ron pulled his left arm to reveal the outline of the dark mark. Draco's jaw dropped then he said,
"You are a death eater! Does Harry know?"
"Yes I stupidly followed Percy and joined because at the time I thought it was the right thing to do. I realize now that it was wrong and stupid. Yes Harry & my parents know. The summer between 4th and 5th year I tried to cut it out. Harry found me and Professor Snape made me tell my parents. Please don't say anything to anyone else."
"I won't' say anything I promise." Severus took a jar of Floo Power off the fireplace mantel and held it towards the boys. Draco and Ron each took a small handful. Ron stepped into the glowing fireplace, threw the powder down, and said, 'Malfoy Manor'. Draco followed him. Severus brought up the rear. Draco stepped out of the fire and was greeted by his father.
"Hello Son."
"Hello father." Draco then saw his mother come into the room. Draco went over and hugged her.
"Hi mama!"
"Hello baby." She kissed him on the head. Lucius cleared his throat and said,
"Son, Weasley, Severus lets go the Dark Lord must not be kept waiting." With a swish of his cloak Lucius turned and walked out of the room. Draco, Ron and Severus followed. The dining room table had been made longer and was full or people Draco didn't know. At the head of the table sat Voldemort. On his right sat Draco's aunt Bellatrix. Lucius took his seat on the left of Voldemort. Draco sat next to his father. Severus and Ron took their seats. Voldemort stood up and said,
"Thank you all for coming. The time is drawing near to bring the wizarding world to its knees. The first step is to get rid of a certain headmaster, then Harry Potter, then the mudbloods, and then the wizards and the world will be ours. We will meet again to finalize the plans for the attack on Hogwarts. Everyone is dismissed other than Lucius and Draco please stay. I have a private matter to discuss with you." Everyone either disapperated or flooded out. Once everyone had left Voldemort looked at Draco and said,
" Draco, Draco, Draco welcome to the Dark Side my boy. I have a special job for you."
"Yes my lord, what is that you would have me do?" Voldemort smiled,
"I need you to rid Hogwarts of a certain headmaster. You have until the end of the year. Do this and I will make you a member of my elite group." Draco swallowed, fought back the tears welling up in his eyes, and said,
"Yes my lord."
"Excellent!" Lucius patted Draco on the back. Draco then left and floored back to Severus' office. He stepped through and said with tears streaming down his face,
"Uncle Sev, Voldemort told me to kill Professor Dumbledore by the end of the year." Severus pulled Draco into a hug and said,
"Don't worry I will talk to him about this."