Chapter 4
(Draco)
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all that it entails belong to JK Rowling, except for Miss Leila Mae Potter.
… … … … …
Draco paced his room, waiting for that all-too-familiar burning sensation in his left forearm. The Dark Lord had been wise enough to not allow Draco on tonight's chase for Harry and Leila Potter. The Dark Lord was knowledgeable of his weakness: Leila Potter; the girl whom he was hopelessly in love with, despite the grave situation. Normally, people say that no news was good news, but not in this situation. He almost longed for his Dark Mark to burn so he could find out the fate of the girl he loved. The girl he had loved since before he had even met her. Despite their strained relationship through their early years at Hogwarts, things had finally swung in his favor last year until—until that damned night. Draco walked over to his bed and sat on it. The bed looked much like the one in his former Slytherin dormitory, except larger. The emerald bed hangings were gently rustling in the slight breeze and with the flick of his wand, the windows shut and the breeze no longer swept through his room. He roughly ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. He wanted nothing more than for Leila to be safe; yet he was torn because we wanted to see her.
Draco leaned over to his bedside table and opened the drawer to reveal what he had left of Leila: a few pictures, notes, and a snitch that she had given him for Christmas. He reached for the pictures, the ones which he had always kept on him and not in his photo album, which was unfortunately no longer in his possession. Draco longed to page through the photo album of him and Leila; but he knew that he would never see that again. Who knows what would happen to his belongings that remained at Hogwarts. He hadn't thought very far in advance that night, the night he had ultimately betrayed the girl he loved. There wasn't a moment that went by when he didn't regret that night. He ran his finger over the Leila in the picture's face. The picture had been taken at the beginning of the year of him, Leila and Hermione Granger because they had earned the top three places after their O.W.L. exams. He looked so sullen in the picture, but Leila looked so beautiful and carefree. Draco looked at the picture and tore the part of the picture that contained the Mudblood off, so that only he and Leila remained in the photo. Him and Leila, the way it should be.
Draco longed for her, which amazed him because he thought that he would still be bitter toward her. After she had broken things off with him for reasons he couldn't understand at the time. But things had changed. Since the weeks after that night on the Astronomy Tower he had plenty of time alone with his thoughts. What surprised him the most was that he understood why Leila did what she did. He understood her sacrifice; but he wished it hadn't come to that. There was nothing he could do to change that night, although he could try and make amends with her. That was why he had tried to seek her out. To tell her that he understood, but that task proved to be impossible.
~*Flashback to earlier that day.*~
For the past week he had sent his owl out daily with a message for her; yet every day his owl returned with his note still attached to her foot. He needed Leila to know, especially before the Death Eaters came calling for her and Harry. He had almost given up hope until this morning, when he came across a newspaper article in The Daily Prophet from the summer before fifth year. On the front page was Leila with her brother. The article was smearing them about the return of the Dark Lord, Fudge's doing of course. Draco had known better seeing as his father was one of the Dark Lord's most trusted. He never told Leila that he believed her about the Dark Lord, but he knew. He tried to avoid the subject of the Dark Lord around them but the rest of what The Daily Prophet reported on he liked to shove back in Harry's face, which sometimes resulted in fights with Leila.
Draco and Leila were patrolling the dungeons, it was their very first patrol as prefects, neither speaking a word to each other. Draco was looking for the right thing to say to her. He hoped that this year would finally be the year that Leila Potter would give into his requests and go on a date with him. He was technically dating Pansy, but he would drop her in a heartbeat the moment Leila said yes. A smirk spread over Draco's face as he watched Leila walk beside him. Leila attempted to tuck her short hair behind her ear, but it fell out almost as soon as she had done it. She had drastically cut her hair to a shorter bobbed-cut that fell just below her chin over the summer, compared to the long flowing locks she had last year. Rumor had it that Leila had cut her hair because she was grieving the loss of Cedric Diggory. As cruel as it sounds, Draco was glad Diggory was gone. Diggory had been his only real competition for Leila. Leila stopped suddenly and turned around to coldly glare at Draco.
"What are you looking at?" Leila questioned.
"You, obviously." Draco smirked.
"Ew, that's disgusting…If you try anything while we're patrolling this year or any other time in general, Malfoy, I swear I'll tell Harry." Leila said.
"Because I'm obviously scared big, bad, Saint Potter." Draco drawled sarcastically.
"You should be, Harry's…." Leila began.
"A complete nutter?" Draco suggested.
"Leave him alone. You don't know what you're talking about." Leila hissed.
"Don't I? I've read the Prophet, Leila. The facts seems to be pretty straight-forward. Perhaps, it is you who doesn't know your brother very well." Draco said.
"I know Harry better than anyone. I was there for everything he has said to be true. And just where do you think you're coming from? You don't know a thing about my brother, besides; he isn't any of your concern." Leila sneered.
"I beg to differ. Seeing as he's causing the Ministry, which my father happens to work for, quite a bit of grief; it is my concern." Draco said.
"Maybe the Ministry should get its facts straight before rushing into things." Leila shouted.
"I assume that you're referring to your brother's trial?" Draco asked.
"That's one issue I have with them." Leila spat.
"You really should try and see things from the side of the Ministry." Draco drawled.
"I don't want to see things from the side of cruel people who send Dementors to Magnolia Crescent in Little Whinging without authorization just to smear my brother's good name. If it wasn't for my nutter brother, as you like to call him; my cousin Dudley and I would probably be without souls right now." Leila hissed.
Leila stomped away, leaving a stunned Draco.
Until that point, Draco had believed that Harry was making the whole Dementor thing up; but seeing Leila so worked up about it he knew it to be true. That was one thing about Leila in their earlier years, she was usually honest with him: brutally honest. He was about to put the paper down, when he remembered the last part of what Leila had said. Dementors in Little Whinging; that was more than likely where she lived. Umbridge had sent Dementors to the Muggle town where Leila lived. He knew where to go to find her to tell her…. to tell her what she needed to hear.
Draco attached the same note to his owl, the one that he had sent for the past week, just in case and walked over to his mirror. He smoothed his hair to perfection before walking downstairs to meet his mother. His mother sipped her tea while she sat at the long dining room table which daily was occupied by Death Eaters. Draco walked over to his mother and placed a kiss on her cheek. Narcissa patted Draco's cheek then returned to her stern composure.
"Where are Father and Auntie Bella?" Draco asked.
"Your father is in his study and Bella is on an errand for the Dark Lord." Narcissa said lightly.
"And the Dark Lord?" Draco asked.
"He's not here, if that is what you are asking." Narcissa said.
"I—I'm going out for a while." Draco faltered slightly.
"Where are you going?" Narcissa asked.
"Out." Draco said shortly.
Narcissa eyed her son suspiciously as Draco turned his face from his mother's gaze. Narcissa knew of her son's fondness for that Potter girl. He had been pining over her all summer and his heart was never fully into the missions the Dark Lord requested of him. Narcissa's hand reached for her son's hand causing them to lock eyes.
"You will do nothing to jeopardize tonight's mission." Narcissa stated.
Draco tore his eyes away to gaze on the wooden floor.
"Draco, promise me." Narcissa said sternly.
"Yes, Mother." Draco muttered.
"You know better than to mutter, Draco." Narcissa reprimanded.
"I promise you, Mother." Draco said clearly.
Narcissa nodded and motioned for Draco to draw closer. Draco bent closer to his mother as she placed her hands on each side of his face. She locked eyes with him again noting the pain that could easily be read in his eyes. She placed a kiss on his forehead and released him. Draco straightened his posture and left Malfoy Manor. He felt slightly sheepish, slightly like a Gryffindor, for what he was about to do. He didn't have much of a plan beyond apparating somewhere near Magnolia Crescent in Little Whinging in hopes of finding Leila Potter; but, then again, how hard could it be?
When he was just outside the wards set around the manor, he drew his wand and apparated to Little Whinging. Draco appeared firmly on the ground behind several trees. He looked over his shoulder to make sure that no Muggles had witnessed the event, tucked his wand into the pocket of his coat, and walked into the open area before the trees. He looked out of place in his pressed black suit compared to the many Muggles that occupied the park. He smoothed the lapels on this suit coat before striding across the lawn. As he walked, several Muggles took notice to him. They pointed and laughed at the boy too dressed-up for a park; but Draco ignored them. His concern wasn't the proper place of Muggles; right now he needed to find Leila.
Draco walked out the gate that led into the park, halting to take in the Muggle scenery. It wasn't often Draco had been in Muggle territory and never unaccompanied. He saw countless homes which stood side by side, all looking the same. These homes didn't look as dilapidated as what he assumed the Weasley's home to be, nor were they as extravagant as the manor. They all looked painstakingly boring. He narrowed his eyes and shook his head before searching out Magnolia Crescent.
Not knowing which way to go, Draco took a step into the street only to almost be hit by a car. The man in the car yelled some obscenity at him which caused Draco to reach for his wand; but he paused when his fingertips touched his wand. The Ministry would know if he used any spells here. They had special protections up for the protection of the Potter twins, so they claimed. He wasn't even entirely sure they wouldn't know about him apparating, but he knew that since he had yet to see a Ministry official he was safe for the time being. He must have either found a loophole or Thickenesse was covering for him. Either way, he should still be more careful. He checked the street to make sure that no more filthy Muggles were out to run him over, and then carried on across the street.
Draco walked for a few blocks before finding a street sign for Magnolia Crescent. His heart gave a slight lurch, but was to be met with a downpour of rain. Draco cursed under his breath, but he saw an overpass not too far away. He sprinted to the overpass to take shelter from the rain. He didn't like not being able to use magic. It made him feel useless without his wand. Another car drove past him, honking their horn as they passed him. He jumped slightly. What's with these filthy Muggles?
When he was almost half-way through the underpass he noticed a figure at the other end standing in the rain in the middle of the road: arms outstretched and face pointed upward. Her long hair dripped water and her body shook as if she were crying. Draco continued to walk closer; but another figure came running, so he squinted his eyes to catch a better view of the pathetic Muggle and her visitor.
"Leila, what are you doing?" a familiar male voice shouted.
Leila, it was Leila. Draco panicked, but luckily there was a slight inlet where he could hide and watch the exchange between Leila and her brother. He couldn't believe his luck, but if only there was a way to lure her away from her brother. He was without the use of his wand, so this only further stumped him. So he was forced to only watch. The only good thing about this situation was that Harry and Leila's conversation reverberated down the pass so Draco could hear them almost perfectly.
"Leila, what are you doing?" Harry asked.
"I just wanted to go for a walk." Leila said.
"Today of all days?" Harry asked.
"This could very well be the last time we ever see Little Whinging." Leila said.
"And you choose to come here of all places? I just didn't know that the memory of you, me, Dudley, and the Dementors ranked that high in your book." Harry said.
"I was on my way to the park; I just stopped here because it started raining." Leila said.
"You stopped in the rain rather than walk three more feet for shelter?" Harry questioned.
Draco watched as Leila shrugged her shoulders and voiced no retort.
"Did you really want to go to the park?" Harry asked.
"Not really, just didn't want to stay cooped up in that house anymore." Leila said.
"Well, right now the Dursleys are packing. I think I may have convinced Uncle Vernon for the next fifteen minutes. I'm all packed, now that just leaves you." Harry said.
"I'm going to go write Fred." Leila said quickly.
Draco watched as Leila quickly turned away from her brother and headed in the opposite direction of Draco's hiding place. Harry shook his head and took off after Leila. Draco breathed a slight sigh of relief that he hadn't been caught; but knew that his chances of getting to Leila were dwindling. So he followed her at a safe distance hoping that Harry wouldn't catch him. He wasn't concerned if Leila found him, because he knew that she would go to meet him without telling her brother. If Harry caught him, however, he was a dead man.
He followed them until he watched them until they came to a stop outside a house on Privet Drive. Leila and Harry stopped to watch a bulky man hauling a giant suitcase from the house into a car. Draco assumed the man to be uncle to the Potter twins. He looked appallingly Muggle, much like the woman who skirted past with lamps in her hands. But what caught Draco the most was the fact that these Muggles ignored the presence of their niece and nephew. Didn't they care? Didn't they know how much standing they held in most of the Wizarding World? But Draco didn't have the answers to these questions. Except for a comment here or there, Leila had never told him about her life with her Muggle relatives; nor had he ever expressed any interest.
Draco's attention turned back to Leila, whom looked to be frustrated with her brother. Harry was talking to her; but he knew Leila's look of frustration all-too-well, having been on the receiving end of it one too many times. It was only time before she…
"I just want to go write Fred!" Leila cried out.
Draco watched as Leila stormed back into the plainly Muggle building and as Harry didn't chase after her. Rather, he walked around to the backside of the house, while the Muggles completely ignored both of them. Draco felt a slight pang at his heart. This was the second time he had heard Leila mention Fred. He assumed that the Fred she was referring to was Fred Weasley. Apparently during her summer, she had managed to get over him and onto Fred; while Draco had spent the whole summer pining over her and how he wished he would have taken Dumbledore's offer. In his head, he debated turning around and heading back home, but he didn't come this far for nothing. He had to tell her, even if she had moved on. After everything that happened, he owed her that much to make things right with her.
He waited near Privet Drive, hoping for Leila to return; but she never came. The Muggles came out a few more times; but never once did Leila return. He heard yelling coming from inside the house and was about to investigate when he saw Dedalus Diggle and Hestia Jones, well-known members of the Order of the Phoenix. Draco jumped into the nearest bush to cover himself, which Diggle and Jones luckily didn't seem to take notice of. The Order members were almost to the house, so he stepped out of the bush. He dusted himself of any stray leaves and looked back to the house, making no attempt to stay hidden. Draco saw Leila gaze from behind the curtain. Her face looked so angelic and beautiful. Her gaze was focused upwards, so he too looked upwards: his owl. She was looking as his owl. Draco looked back to the house and noticed that Leila had a look of surprise on her face and appeared to be looking straight at him.
Suddenly, a car stopped in front of him to pull out a map. With the car blocking his view from Leila; he took this as his chance to leave and apparated back to the manor, hoping that Pius would cover his arse.
… … … …
Draco stood up from his bed to look at the night sky. The sky looked peaceful, which he hoped was a good sign for Leila. He was about to go downstairs when his left forearm burned. Draco slightly winced at the burning sensation then headed downstairs to find out the fate of his Leila. Draco was the last Death Eater to enter the room. His Aunt Bellatrix lunged at him, pinning him by his neck to the wall. Draco felt short of breath and slightly struggled under his aunt's grasp. The Dark Lord made no attempt to stop Bellatrix, nor did any of the other Death Eaters, except for his father.
"Hands off my son, Bella." Lucius hissed.
"Leave them be, Lucius." the Dark Lord commanded.
His father cowardly shrunk back to the group, while his mother's hand flew to her mouth. Bellatrix looked into his eyes and attempted to get inside his head; but she had trained Draco in Occlumency. Draco fought her which caused Bellatrix to sneer in frustration. Draco expected her to curse him, but instead, she brought her hand just in front of his face. He closed his eyes, waiting for the curse to come, but one never came. When he opened his eyes he found in her hand Leila's necklace which held his Slytherin ring. Draco's eyes fluttered in surprise as Bellatrix shoved the ring in his face.
"How did the Potter girl get your ring?" Bellatrix demanded.
Draco winced under the pressure.
"Answer me, Draco!" Bellatrix screamed.
"I—I gave it to her." Draco stumbled.
"You gave it to her? When? Today? Did you tell her we were coming?" Bellatrix shouted.
She held him firmly against the wall, never breaking eye-contact. Draco looked around the room to find that all eyes were on him, but what he did notice is that Leila wasn't there. They would have taken Leila prisoner, not killed her. At least he knew that she was safe for now. He looked back to his aunt who was fuming. She eyed him expecting him to answer.
"Don't make us do this the hard way, Draco." Bellatrix said jabbing her wand in his stomach.
"I gave it to her after the first Quidditch match last year." Draco hissed.
"You gave her your Slytherin ring, why?" Bellatrix hissed back.
"Be—because—because." Draco stuttered.
"Be—be—because." Bellatrix mocked.
"Because isn't any of your damn business!" Draco shouted.
Bellatrix lost control tossing the necklace across the crowded room and then casting the Cruciatus curse on Draco. Draco held back his screams but fell on his knees to the floor. Narcissa ran to Bellatrix, causing her spell to release. Draco panted for breath and looked up at his maniacal aunt.
"Don't think that I haven't noticed your unhealthy obsession with that half-blood, Draco. I tried to overlook it; but it caused you to fail your mission to the Dark Lord. So, I'm going to ask you again: did you tell the Potter girl we were coming?" Bellatrix asked.
"No." Draco said.
"Is that so? Pius tells me that…" Bellatrix began.
"You asked me if I told her. You didn't ask if I was there." Draco said coldly.
"Do you admit it?" Bellatrix asked.
"I was there; but I never spoke to her. I—I was keeping watch to make sure our information was correct." Draco said.
"A likely story." Bellatrix concluded.
Bellatrix moved to draw her wand again.
"Now is not the time, Bellatrix. We may have use for Draco's weakness yet." The Dark Lord said.
"But—but my Lord." Bellatrix questioned.
"No, you're right, you probably wouldn't understand." The Dark Lord said.
"Th—thank you for sparing my son." Lucius muttered.
"It had nothing to do with being your son, Lucius. The boy has a way to bring Potter to me." The Dark Lord responded.
The Death Eaters looked to the Dark Lord, confused by the plan. The only one who didn't look confused was Snape, who slightly hung his head. The Dark Lord walked closer to Draco, pushing Bellatrix out of the way. The Dark Lord stood right before Draco, who attempted not to look weak.
"It is not often that the Lord Voldemort offers redemption." The Dark Lord stated.
"My Lord?" Draco whispered.
"You've fallen trap to the deceit of Dumbledore's theory on love, haven't you?" the Dark Lord asked.
"What?" Draco asked.
"The Potter girl, are you or are you not in love with her?" the Dark Lord questioned.
Draco's lip quivered, but no response formed on his lips. The Dark Lord twirled his wand in his hands, as if deciding whether or not to curse Draco. Draco was unsure whether he should answer the question. Should he admit his love for Leila in front of all the Death Eaters? In front of his parents who would be disappointed? What was the answer to fall back into the Dark Lord's graces?
"Answer him, Draco." Narcissa pleaded.
"Listen to your mother, Draco; answer me." The Dark Lord commanded.
"Y—yes." Draco said.
"Good, you will help me; will you not, Draco? " the Dark Lord asked.
"Y—yes my Lord, anything you ask." Draco answered.
"It appears that I have been after the wrong Potter twin." The Dark Lord evilly smiled.
The Dark Lord walked away and Narcissa rushed to her son. She swept him into her arms but he pushed her away, not wanting to look weak in front of the Dark Lord. Once the Death Eaters had left, he searched the place where he saw Leila's necklace with his ring fall. He clutched the ring close to his heart. He wasn't exactly sure what he had gotten himself into; but whatever it was, it kept him alive at least temporarily.