Changing Sides

Disclaimer: Not mine. It's as simple as that.

Here I present the next chapter.

Chapter 7: Visitations

Harry sat in his bed, shocked. Draco Malfoy's house elf knew Dobby? Maybe he could send a message to Hermione and Ron through Kaya to Dobby. After all, she said she made some sort of Elfish Bind and that must be of some importance, right?

What had really happened during that duel with Malfoy? Ron and Hermione were definitely here, they used the code word, too bad Malfoy had caught them.

Harry popped off the top of the vial with the blue potion in it and downed it in one gulp. He winced at its sour taste and put the potion on the night stand next to his bed.

He got out of bed and went to the small paper flip calendar on his desk. As each day went by, he would tear off the page. Each page had the day of the week, the day and a short quote. Harry looked at the page.

Friday, July 15.

Under the day was the quote: "The past is finished. There is nothing to be gained by going over it. Whatever it gave us in the experiences it brought was something we had to know."

"Ironic," Harry said aloud. "Stupid quote."

He went to the bathroom in his room and took a shower. He then put on my fresh clothes. Regular jeans and a green t-shirt. He took his wand from next to his bed and tucked it in his belt.

Harry was about to open the door when it flung open and knocked him behind it. The doorknob smacked him in his stomach and he got the wind knocked out of him as he slid to the floor behind the door.

"Potter!" someone yelled. Harry recognized the voice as the man who disarmed him in the graveyard, Dolohov.

"Where is he?" someone else asked. This was most likely Yaxley for him and Dolohov were always paired together.

"Draco came running out before calling for Lucius saying that he was awake," Dolohov said.

"That's why he sent me," Yaxley stated. "He's downstairs."

The door closed and Harry let out a deep breath.

He wondered why they were looking for him. Surely not to duel, Lucius Malfoy always did that or Draco would at least come and fetch him. Not these two dumbbells.

Harry got up and went to his window and opened it. The 'Snuffles Was Here' was now long gone. He should send another letter. It had been a little over a week since he last did. He went to go and pull out a piece of parchment from his desk when he noticed a box under his desk. He stooped down and picked it up putting it on his desk. He pulled out the Muggle packaging, those styrofoam white peanut looking things. Inside the box were some books and a note was on top:

Potter,

Flourish and Blotts sent us our books for next year,

here are yours.

D.M.

Harry's heart skipped a beat. Books? From Flourish and Blotts? Like he asked Hermione to send? He pulled the books out. There were three new books and then more Muggle packaging. Harry shoved his hands in the box and felt around the bottom scraping the sides with his fingers. Then, he stopped. What did he just feel? Fabric? It felt like something, like cloth but also like cool water. He tipped the box over and all of the packaging fell out and then disappeared on the floor.

"Thank you," he whispered as he picked up the invisibility cloak that was covering the packaging. He held it tightly. This was the only thing he had besides his wand, his glasses and himself that he had uniting him with anything outside of the Manor.

Harry went to the mirror hanging on the back of his bedroom door and looked at his reflection. He was abnormally pale, like he hadn't been outside in a month. Oh, that's right, he hadn't. He'd been trapped up in Malfoy Manor. He also looked unusually skinny. Well, he didn't always eat the food that Malfoy had given him, he was afraid he might poison it.

Suddenly, Harry saw a shadow under the door move. He quickly threw his cloak on as Lucius Malfoy stepped in the room, right past him. Harry stepped outside the room as Lucius cast the charm which detected the presence of people in a room. The spell did not respond normally, so the conclusion was that there were no people in the room.

Harry stepped back, flattening himself against the wall as Lucius walked past him, pulling the door shut. Harry trailed him and twice, Lucius spun around after hearing footsteps or just feeling a shadow but he saw nothing.

He followed him all the way to the entranceway where a group of Death Eaters were standing. "Where is he?" Lucius demanded as he descended down the stairs. Harry, however remained at the top looking over the banister.

"Lucius, we cannot find him anywhere," Dolohov said.

"He did not leave, for the alarms would go off," Lucius stated.

"The Muggleborn alerting ones? Surely Potter is not Muggleborn?" Yaxley asked.

"No, you fool. Draco was just messing with Potter, there is no such thing as a Muggleborn alerting ward. Now, stop messing around and find Potter! He needs to be in his room!" Lucius ordered.

At once the Death Eaters dispersed and all ran in different directions, some coming up the stairs.

Harry moved back up the stairs. He could not stay here, someone would brush up against him and he would be revealed. He ran down the hallway as fast as he could still staying concealed and ducked into Malfoy's bedroom which was unoccupied.

Harry pulled off the cloak, shrunk it and stuck it in his pocket. He went to Malfoy's desk, took a piece of parchment and a quill and went and sat in the armchair next to the bookshelf. He pulled a book off of the shelf, opened it to a random page which happened to be on Sending Messages in Patronuses and started writing a letter to Hermione and Ron:

Dear Hermione and Ron,

Clever, what you did with that message, which I did get. Sorry to hear that Malfoy shot at you with arrows. I would be careful, he has quite good aim with an arrow. The reason I haven't responded is because Malfoy hit me with some spells during a duel and knocked me out for eight days! But, I am going to try and contact you with Dobby and Hermione, I got the books and all of the contents of the box. One last thing before I go, everyone is looking for me. They say I need to be in my room today and stay there but I don't know why. Today's the fifteenth of July, by the way. See you soon.

Love, Harry

PS: Muggleborn blocking out wards do not exist. Lucius was telling someone and I overheard him.

Harry took the letter, waved his wand at it and it turned into a letter from Narcissa Malfoy to Flourish and Blotts telling them that she received her books and she was thanking them for it. Harry tucked the letter in an envelope and opened Malfoy's window. He whistled something like Malfoy did but the owl did not come. Instead there was a popping noise and Harry spun around startled.

"DOBBY!" he shouted.

"Shh, Harry Potter!" Dobby said.

Sure enough, Dobby the house elf was standing in front of Harry with his finger in front of his lips shushing Harry.

Harry couldn't help but embrace Dobby in a hug. He pulled the small elf off of the floor and hugged him tightly. He dropped his voice a few notches in volume. "Dobby, I am so glad to see you."

"Well, you called me," Dobby answered.

"No, I was whistling for Malfoy's owl," Harry said.

"But I come to you, so you called me," Dobby said.

"Okay, do you know what's going on here in the Manor today?" Harry asked.

"No, sir. Only that someone is coming and they are to not see you," Dobby answered.

"I know that much. Oh and before I forget, if you can, give this letter to Ron and Hermione," Harry said.

"Of course Harry Potter, sir," Dobby said. He took the letter and bowed.

"Go, Dobby, they're looking for me and they shouldn't see you," Harry whispered.

"Yes, sir. Goodbye Harry Potter," Dobby said obediently and bowed. As he got to the lowest point in his bow, he was gone with another pop.

The door to Malfoy's bedroom swung open.

"Potter!" Malfoy said energetically.

"Malfoy!" Harry said mocking Malfoy.

"Everyone is looking for you, what were you doing in my room?" Malfoy asked.

"I was reading, I didn't have this particular book and you did," Harry replied. He showed Malfoy the book that he thankfully was still holding.

"I heard voices," Malfoy said suspiciously looking around.

"Oh, I was talking to– Kaya. She was giving me my potions. I don't seem to remember but apparently you nearly killed me, broke a good amount of bones and maybe even a minor concussion," Harry said. "So, why's everyone looking for me? Is it time?"

"Time? Time for what?" Malfoy asked.

"You know," Harry said. He jabbed his own wand into his chest.

"Oh," Malfoy remarked chuckling. "I already told you, the Dark Lord doesn't want to kill you, why don't you trust me?"

"Oh I don't know, you said you shot at my friends, but were my friends even there? Are you just saying that to make me angry? Maybe you put that weird message in the trees and were just shooting arrows. Why do you call Voldemort the Dark Lord? Only his followers call him that," Harry said.

Malfoy could not think of anything to say. He shrugged. "I would get back to your room, if I were you," he said.

"Well, you're not me so I'll go back when I please," Harry said smartly.

"Don't make me get them to drag you there," Malfoy threatened.

"Fine," Harry replied putting his hands up in defeat. "Only if I can take this book." Harry held it up for Malfoy to see the cover.

"Fine," Malfoy agreed. "Now, go."

Harry nodded and walked past Malfoy. He quickly ran across the hallway to his bedroom, opened the door, slipped inside and shut the door.

"Was that him?" a voice called from down the hallway.

Harry had little time. He tucked his wand in his belt, took the book he was holding and jumped out of his window onto his balcony. He shut the windows so if anyone asked him why he didn't answer, he could say that he didn't hear them.

He took up a casual position leaning his elbows on the edge of his balcony and had the book opened and he was reading it, or rather staring out at the free world while he was in this huge prison. He actually had glanced at the book on sending a message in a patronus. It said it was simple, just think the message and cast a Patronus. Harry sighed. Harry so desperately wanted to get out of this place. Maybe he could try and escape. Apparently, someone was coming today, maybe everyone would be distracted with whoever that was and he could just make a run for it under his cloak or slip out following a Death Eater that was leaving. Not many could freely apparate inside the Manor because if they could do it, he could do it. He thought only house elves could do it.

Suddenly, his windows burst open and two Death Eaters were standing there.

"There you are Potter!" Yaxley said glaring at him.

"What are you doing Potter?" Dolohov asked angrily.

"Reading, what are you doing Dolohov?" Harry asked with the same tone.

"What did you say?" Dolohov questioned pulling out his wand.

Harry glanced at his wand. "Well, I was just being polite calling you by your last name like you call me," he said.

"I would watch your attitude, if I were you," Dolohov said.

"I would watch my back, if I were you," Harry replied smirking.

The curse was on Dolohov's lips before Harry could even wipe the smirk off of his face. He instinctively stuck up his hands the moment he saw the jet of purple light from his wand.

The spell bounced off of Harry's shield and bounced back in a large ray of light sending Yaxley and Dolohov flying backwards away from the window and they both landed on the ground. Hard.

"He's here! He's here!" someone called from outside of the door.

Harry climbed into his room and tossed the book on his bed and went to his door. He slowly started to open it so no one would see him when someone jumped on him from behind.

His wand was wrestled away from him and Dolohov and Yaxley were both pinning him to the floor.

"Who's here?" Harry asked between deep breaths of air.

"No one that concerns you," Dolohov answered. "Yaxley, go get Lucius."

Yaxley got up off of Harry's legs and scurried from the room.

"Maybe you should watch your back, Potter," Dolohov sneered.

"No, I would still watch yours," Harry said. His eyes were looking at something right behind Dolohov.

Dolohov spun around just in time to see a levitating armchair racing towards him. It hit him and he rolled off of Harry and didn't move.

Harry sat up and held out his hand. His wand flew to him. He used his first spell besides the shield charm. He had levitated something and then moved it. It was a proud day for Harry.

Using his wand this time, Harry levitated the armchair back to where it was just as the door opened again revealing Lucius and Yaxley.

"Ah, Potter, I see you have recovered from the little dueling mishap," Lucius said.

"I have, very much so," Harry answered breathing heavily. He was still trying to regain his breath from his wandless magic.

"Where's Dolohov?" Yaxley asked.

"Oh, him?" Harry asked stepping aside so Yaxley could see Dolohov on the floor.

Lucius was smiling. "I'm guessing he didn't up that way by a Protego charm?" he asked. "Levitating?"

"Maybe," Harry replied. "So, who's here?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that and I'm afraid you will not be permitted to leave this room. Yaxley, get him." Lucius said nodding his head toward Dolohov.

"I got it," Harry offered. "Rennervate."

Dolohov opened his eyes to see Harry's feet and Lucius and Yaxley.

"Lucius! He attacked me with a chair and he didn't even have a wand!" Dolohov said getting up and going to the sides of his fellow Death Eaters.

"Yes, come along now. Stay here, Potter. I mean it," Lucius said.

Harry nodded and went and sat on his bed. He looked at his watch. It was nearly seven o'clock. Who would be coming this late? Hmm, if only he were invisible and was able to sneak past the Death Eaters outside of his door.

Ah yes, he has an invisibility cloak! He turned on his bathroom light and closed the door to make it look like he was in there.

Harry pulled his cloak out of his pocket and returned it to normal size and put it in. He opened the door very quickly to make it look as if a gust of wind had done it. The two Death Eaters outside of his door turned quickly. But they saw his window open and just figured that it was the wind and they pulled the door shut as Harry slipped outside.

Harry went down the hallway back the way he had followed Lucius Malfoy. He stopped near the banister again and looked over it cautiously. What he saw made his heart jump.

Through the threshold of the front door walked in Arthur Weasley.

Harry's hand was already on his cloak ready to pull it off but he stopped when he saw something in Lucius' back pocket. It was his wand.

"I am here on official Ministry business. We have reason to believe that you have kidnaped Harry Potter," Mr. Weasley said.

"Potter? Please, a half-blood in my house? That's disgraceful," Lucius said.

Harry could tell he was lying. He sensed it in his voice and he felt it in his mind. Did Lucius not know Occlumency? Only Malfoy knew it? Harry knew it would be a risk to read Lucius' mind, but he could try.

"Well, Lucius. I am obligated to search the premises," Mr. Weasley said.

"By all means, go ahead, but I doubt you will find anything," Lucius said gesturing to his home.

Harry turned around to see that the Death Eaters who were supposed to be guarding his door were gone. Actually, his door was gone too. How was he going to get back inside?

Harry spun around again and Lucius was standing in the middle of the room where he left him and Mr. Weasley had gone off searching the house. He concentrated on Lucius Malfoy and blocked everything out. He thought the spell and did not break his eye contact.

Lucius' hand went up to his temple and rubbed it but he did not attack back or even try to stop him. Harry openly entered Lucius' mind seeing what Lucius was planning to do. He was planning to Imperius Arthur Weasley and get inside the Ministry. Harry pulled himself out of Lucius' mind, stepped down onto the stairs, and by this time Lucius was rubbing both of his temples and mumbling something about headaches.

What could he do to stop Lucius? He had to do something. He could not let the Malfoy's infiltrate the Ministry. No matter what Draco did to him, he would still never trust him, no matter how many strings he pulled or favors he did, Draco would never be trusted.

Mr. Weasley came back into the room.

"There's no one upstairs," Lucius said.

"I'll be the judge of that," Mr. Weasley said. He pulled his wand out of his sleeve and pointed it towards where Harry was standing before. "Homenum Revelio!" he said. His wand did not react, there were no people upstairs.

Harry watched this curiously. He was upstairs. Correction, he was on the stairs. Damn it! But if he was in his room, surely it would be detected, unless his room had been removed along supposedly with him inside it. That's not good.

"I suppose all is well for now," Mr. Weasley said sadly. He nodded and Mr. Malfoy and turned to leave.

Lucius drew his wand from his back pocket.

So did Harry. Harry cast his spell first. "Accio!" he whispered so quiet that even someone standing two feet behind him would not hear him. Lucius' wand flew towards Harry and he flicked his wand under his cloak and Lucius' wand sped in the other direction and just hovered in midair.

Mr. Weasley left the Manor. Harry dropped Lucius' wand and he went back to where his room should have been. Suddenly, the door appeared and Harry ran inside as fast as he could. Everything seemed to be in order, where he left it. He pulled off of the cloak and stuffed it in his pocket. He jumped on his bed, laid on his stomach and started reading the book on Messages in Patronuses and tried casting it a few times before his door flew open so hard that Harry thought it might fly off of its hinges.

"Potter!" Lucius shouted fuming.

"Yes?" Harry asked just as his Patronus disappeared.

Lucius calmed down a little bit and Harry kept his straight face. He looked around the room and everything looked ordinary.

"Yes?" Harry repeated.

"Clean up that packaging," Lucius ordered pointing to the overturned box with packaging that Harry's books had come from. Lucius pulled the door shut.

Harry smiled. How much longer would he have to put up with this and pretend to be getting better at this magic Malfoy was teaching him when in reality, Lupin had taught him most of it or he taught himself from reading almost everyday out of boredom. Only about a month and a half left, here at this prison.

This chapter was kind of long, but it was important to get it all in there. There will only be a few more chapters of Harry at the Malfoy's for all of you who want him back in school. Thanks to those who review. I'll try and update soon.

Current Word Count: 14448

—Elizabeth