The Bodyguard

Chapter 4: Promises

His heart thudding in his chest, Harry waited for the next attack. Then...

"Wotcher, Harry!"

The bubblegum pink head of Tonks rose up from behind a fence. Kingsley's bald head shone as he stepped out from behind a tree. Ten other figures appeared from their hiding places; a mixture of Order members and Ministry Aurors.

Too relieved to speak, Harry lowered his wand.

"Thank Merlin you escaped!" exclaimed Kingsley. He came closer and pointed his wand at the unconscious body in Harry's arms. "Who is that?"

"Draco Malfoy," said Tonks, before Harry could open his mouth. "He's my cousin but I've had nothing to do with him. He and his parents are Death Eaters."

Kingsley tensed, and Harry felt himself rushing to Draco's defence. The unconscious body was surprisingly light in his arms - far too thin for a teenage boy - and it spurred Harry's sense of pity and obligation, along with the memory of Draco's selfless acts that night. "He saved me!" Harry said. "Draco got me out of that Death Eater den, and he cast a shield spell around me. You saw that."

"I did," said Kingsley. He was still looking at Draco with suspicion.

A Ministry Auror lumbered over from behind a garbage bin. He was an ill-favoured man, with scars running over his cheeks and only fleshy tatters where his ears should have been. He held a stubby, pale wand in a hairy, gorilla-like fist. "Whatever he's done for you, Potter, it doesn't make up for the fact he's Death Eater filth. He'll go before the Wizengamot and rot in Azkaban with the rest of them."

The Auror's voice was as harsh and damaged as his face and Harry disliked him instantly. "I won't let Draco go to Azkaban," he replied.

"Really, Chosen One?" the Auror sneered, the last two words heavily laced with scorn.

"Draco Malfoy promised to be my bodyguard, and so far he's kept his word. Now it's my turn to keep mine," said Harry. The Auror loomed intimidatingly over him, but he didn't step back.

"Now Barnes," said Kingsley warningly. He glanced at Harry. "This is Barnes, Harry. The Ministry's new Chief Auror."

"Pleasure to meet you, sir," said Harry, though his tone suggested quite the opposite.

Barnes glared back with undisguised contempt, then turned to Kingsley. "The Chosen One is a CHILD," he snarled. "Who else but a child would trust a Death Eater?"

"That was uncalled for, Barnes. Harry's young but he's had more experience fighting the Dark Arts than most adults," said Kingsley. Subtly he raised his wand. Tonks moved to his side and also glared at Barnes, who drew himself up.

"My job is to protect the Chosen One, on behalf of the Ministry. You think I'd let him use a Death Eater," Barnes spat on the ground. "As a bodyguard? If I did I wouldn't be doing my job. This Death Eater goes in front of the Wizengamot in the morning. That's my final word, and as Chief Auror, I have the authority to take the prisoner by force."

Harry glanced around. Barnes not only had the authority, but the numbers. There were more Ministry Aurors here than Order members. A cold feeling of dread went through Harry, and he instinctively pulled Draco closer, knowing he was going to be snatched away. But he wasn't about to back down without a fight.

"Is that so, Barnes?" said Harry coldly. "If you do manage to take Draco, and he goes before Wizengamot, then I expect to be allowed to speak on his behalf."

"You'll get your chance," Barnes sniffed. "But I wouldn't count on keeping him out of Azkaban. Not unless you can convince everyone that he's entirely trustworthy."

"Look!" cried Tonks, and pointed back where Harry and Draco had come from. Everyone turned.

In the distance, a blazing, green skull, with a snake slithering through its mouth, had appeared in the sky.

"Looks like He Who Must Not Be Named has discovered you're gone, Harry, and has delivered a little instant justice," said Kingsley.

"Amycus. I bet he's killed Amycus," said Harry, exhaustion creeping into his voice. The last few horrible hours were taking their toll on him, and it seemed that even though he and Draco had escaped, they were not safe. Harry's legs ached, and his arms were almost numb. Slowly, he slid to the ground, cradling Draco protectively. The threatening green light shining down from Lord Voldemort's hideous symbol made everyone look the same, Aurors, Order members and Death Eaters alike.

oOoOoOo

Author Notes:

So, what do you think so far? Please comment!

Replies to previous comments:

NinjaoftheDarkness: Mmm, I love chocolate! Thanks. ;-) SuperSquash: Plenty more angsty goodness coming your way. firefly12: Yes, Draco's not a happy boy at the moment! Actually, he's not even a conscious boy at the moment. gbheart: Thanks, I will update soon. liz: Thank you for your very nice comment. I hope the rest of the story lives up to your expectations. The Earth Mystic: Draco survived, but his problems have only just begun! Miko23: Thanks!