Chapter 5– Leaving Privet Drive
Draco huddled on the floor of the small cell in misery. The cell was more a small crawlspace. The ceiling was only four feet high and the entire area was made of crumbling concrete. A damp, musty smell of mold and decaying matter filled the cell. A small bucket in the corner had been provided as a privy. The Death Eaters emptied it occasionally when they remembered to feed Draco. Not that feeding was something that happened to often either.
The failure to follow the Dark Lord's command haunted him. The daily applications of the Cruciatus Curse by Voldemort and aunt Bellatrix were bad enough. His mother's murder burned in his memory. He relived the scene several times a night. The torture was almost a relief.
Why couldn't he cast that final curse that would have proven himself and redeemed his father to Voldemort? In a dark corner of Draco's mind, he knew the reason. He was always the sly one, the planner. Never let your own hands get dirty was a lesson he had learned from his father. But even more, Draco suspected he was simply a coward.
Draco never fought a fair fight in his life if he could help it. Even as a first year in the forest during that detention with Potter he had run at the first sign of trouble. All of his confrontations with Potter, Weasley and that Mudblood Granger had all occurred with some kind of backup, either other Slytherins or his position as a Perfect.
It all came down to Potter. This was all his fault! If Potter wasn't in his year someone else would have been assigned the task of killing Dumbledore.
The door to Draco's cell suddenly swung open, filling the small, musty room with bright light. A figure appeared and crouched in the doorway.
"Good morning, Mr. Malfoy. Having a pleasant day?" asked Professor Snape. Draco had not seen Snape since his mother's murder. But Draco did know the task Voldemort had assigned to his former teacher.
Draco summoned what courage he had and turned to face Snape. He stood as straight as possible and looked his former professor in the eye. He could not help raising a hand to shield his eyes from the bright light spilling from the hall. With his throat dry from a lack of water, Draco could not really answer so he just glared in silence.
Snape glared at his former student and sneered, "I am here to inform you that you are now an orphan. Your father met with a sudden, unexplained accident while sitting in his cell in Azkaban."
Draco felt a sudden jolt of mixed emotions. Part of Draco held Lucius Malfoy responsible for the whole mess with his involvement with Voldemort. Lucius was a difficult man to please as a child. The elder Malfoy always had a vicious temper and frequently beat Draco when he displeased his father. The worst beating Draco had ever received was when a five year-old Draco mistakenly played with a Muggle boy who lived near the Malfoy mansion. However, Lucius was Draco's father and Draco felt a sharp pain at the thought of his death at the hands of his fellow Death Eaters.
Snape watched Draco's warring emotions and then tossed a small container of water to Draco. "You will need this to get your strength back. The Dark Lord will be returning shortly. Since your wand is safely on the table in the next room, you will not even be able to resist when he comes for his pleasure. You might be happy to know that first we are crashing the Weasley wedding to provide some 'entertainment'." With that, Snape turned and slammed the door shut.
Draco slumped to the floor and eagerly drank down the water. It tasted better then all the butterbeer ever served in the Three Broomsticks! Draco was able to keep from drinking all of the water, instead saving some for later.
Draco slumped into the dark, damp corner as his world rocked around him. First his mother's death in front of him and now his father's in prison destroyed Draco's world view.
Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy had served the Dark Lord since they were teenagers. Their belief in the pure bloods was absolute and the Dark Lord was the key. Voldemort recruited them during a Hogsmeade weekend during their Sixth year at Hogwarts. Armando Dippet was retiring as Headmaster at Hogwarts and the Dark Lord wanted them to spy on Professor Dumbledore who would be taking the position the next fall.
Draco was born into a family of Death Eaters. He was raised on the superiority of the purebloods. Even before the rise of the Dark Lord, the Malfoy's had maintained their honor and pride by staying with their own kind. Draco's grandfather had not agreed with his son in swearing allegiance to the Dark Lord but he had agreed that the lesser magical folk were gaining too much power in the Wizarding community. Mudbloods, halfbloods and blood traitors were less then the scum on your boots. They could never truly understand the greatness of the purebloods.
Yet, Draco now questioned this "greatness". He and his parents had fought long and hard on behalf of the Dark Lord. Even when the Dark Lord appeared lost, Lucius remained as a spy on Dumbledore. Lucius pressured a Hogwarts governor to step down and got himself installed into the position. During Draco's second year, Dumbledore was actually removed as Headmaster for a time when the Chamber of Secrets was reopened because of Lucius's manipulations. Then, for a short period of failures they were condemned to torture and death. It wasn't fair!
Draco suddenly realized the cell was not as dark as before. The cell door was cracked to let some light in! Draco crept towards the door and gently pushed against it. A soft creak of metal on metal and then the door swung slightly open. Draco looked down and realized that a small stone had blocked the door from closing properly.
Draco grabbed the stone and peered out into the room outside his cell. After so much time in the black cell, it took a little while for his eyes to adjust. Eventually, Draco could make out a table across the room and another door leading out. The cell Draco had been locked in seemed to be the basement of a very old house. The room was light with magical torches that bathed the room in a flickering light. No one was around. Draco listened for a little but did not hear anyone.
Remembering what Snape said about his wand, Draco stole over to the table. Sitting there was Draco's wand and a small amount of cheese. Draco grabbed them both and looked quickly around for any sign of Death Eaters. A vain hope faded as Draco realized that the area had an Anti-Aparation shield.
A plan, Draco needed a plan of what to do next. Oddly, Draco realized that the first person he would have run to in this situation would have been Dumbledore. Draco suddenly realized that the old wizard was the only one who never expected anything from Draco based on who his father was. Whom else could he go to now?
Draco quietly walked over to the other door and listened for any sounds. Hearing his own pounding heart, Draco opened the door. A quick glance revealed a stair going up. As Draco stepped on the first step, it let out a loud creek. He froze and waited for the sounds of Death Eaters coming to investigate.
Thirty seconds and two lifetimes later, Draco continued moving up the stair. Draco placed his feet on the outsides of the stairs so to make as little noise as possible. A lifetime of sneaking and spying, first on his parents and then at Hogwarts, was saving his life tonight.
Draco reached the top of the stairs and opened the door at the top. The room beyond looked like a gardener's shack that had been abandoned for years. Years of grime covered the windows making them impossible to see through. No torches lit the room like the stairs and the room below. Layers of dusk covered everything except a track worn across the room from the doors to the stairs.
Draco moved to the door outside and tried the handle. It opened easily and quietly as if it had just been greased. Looking outside, Draco saw a moonlight neglected garden and a huge mansion that was in no better shape then the garden. Neither looked like they had been seriously maintained for more then ten years.
Draco shut the door behind him and moved into the garden. A garden path led to a gate and a small lane. In the distance Draco could make out the unflickering lights of a Muggle village. Why would the Dark Lord maintain a house so close Muggles?
Draco could feel the strength draining out of him with each step. The water from Snape and adrenaline had given Draco a boost to get out of the cell, but now it was waning. But Draco still shuffled down the lane towards the light.
Draco suddenly slammed into a wall and crashed to the ground in surprise. Looking around Draco realized he had stumbled unknowing into the Muggle village.
A voice called out, "Hey mate, you had better learn to hold your beer at your age!"
Draco turned to find two local Muggles staggering by. In his haze, Draco realized they were both drunk and assumed that he was also. Vaguely waving at them, Draco looked at the wall he had run into. A sign hanging outside proclaimed it was a pub named The Hanged Man.
Draco stood and moved into an alley along the side of the pub. Draco realized that in his stumbling haze he had moved outside the shielded area. Draco tightly held his wand as he decided where he had to go. With a loud pop, Draco was gone.
Harry met Mike at their designated spot. As they walked to the car, Harry learned that Mike had witnessed the entire incident. Mike had stayed out of sight to watch the confrontation. He was close enough to jump in of Harry had gotten into trouble, but he wanted to see how Harry handled himself. Overall, Mike was impressed with the progress Harry had made. However, this did not keep Mike from analyzing the entire incident.
Harry was very nervous as he approached Privet Drive a couple of hours later. When he opened the front door he braced for a nasty confrontation. No one was in the house yet. Harry guessed that they might not be home yet from picking up Dudley from the police.
Harry ran up to his room and shut the door behind him. As much as putting his cousin down had been, Harry was sure it would not make up for the pain that would be coming soon. Harry started placing his stuff in his trunk for leaving on Saturday.
Harry heard Hedwig scratching at the window. Harry opened the window and lifter his beautiful snowy owl into the room. "Hey boy, what have you got for me?"
Harry unrolled the scroll. It read:
Hey Mate!
We have not heard much from you in the last couple of weeks. Are the Muggles treating you okay? I did not like the look of that short, ugly git with your uncle. My mum is convinced that she is going to have to stuff you to regain the weight you lost this summer before school.
We will come and get you in two days to bring you to the Burrow. I can't wait. All of this wedding stuff is driving me spare!
Hermione has been here for a week. Please write back and let me know how you are doing.
- Ron
Harry grinned. Harry felt ready to deal with whatever was necessary in order to defeat Voldemort. The time with Mike had given Harry a chance to release the stress he had built up and to focus on his studies. He realized that he would have to maintain a good balance between responsibility and fun. After all, his father, godfather and favorite DADA professor were all Marauders. They would be upset if he did get into some trouble!
Harry dashed off a quick note to Ron and Hermione that he was fine and would see them in two days. He also told them to have fun until he got there.
Well, they would have fun if Ron would ever open his mouth and tell Hermione how he felt about her. Harry figured everyone, including Hermione, knew already. After all, Hermione had spent more time with Ron then Harry did over the last three or four summers. In fact, the only time Harry could not remember her beating him to wherever Ron was spending the summer was after first year when her family went to France.
With a smirk at that thought, Harry set the note aside. He would send the note after Hedwig had some time to rest. Turning back to his packing, Harry heard the front door open. The door was barely open before the yelling started.
"Get down here you ungrateful whelp!"
Harry looked around his room and realized he was being foolish. Pulling out his wand, Harry flicked it at the rest of his stuff to send it flying neatly into his trunk. Another quick spell shrunk the trunk to fit inside a bag.
Harry quickly made a note onto his letter to Ron and Hermione saying that he would make his own way to the Burrow and that he would explain later. Harry attached the note to Hedwig and said, "Sorry to do this before you could rest but I think it is time for us to go. Go to Ron and wait for me at the Burrow."
Hedwig hooted and playfully nipped at Harry's hand. Then with a toss from Harry, took flight out the window. Harry then shrunk Hedwig's cage down and placed it into the bag.
The yelling was getting closer, so Harry put the bag on his back and started to the door. As Harry opened the door, Uncle Vernon appeared in the doorway.
"What do you mean picking on my son! After we took you in all these years, fed you, clothed you, this is how you repay us! I don't care what that doddering old fool told your aunt, I want you out of my house!" While he was yelling, Uncle Vernon kept leaning further and further into Harry.
Harry felt his anger start to boil over the insult to Professor Dumbledore. Harry took a deep breath and looked Uncle Vernon straight in the eye. "When have you ever showed me any kindness or concern? You and Dudley have bullied me and harassed me all of my life. Dudley made the mistake of trying it again after I learned to defend myself. No magic, no tricks. I beat Dudley and his friends using only Muggle means!"
"You get out of my house! I won't have you here another minute!" screamed Uncle Vernon.
Harry moved around the fat man and said, "I was just leaving. You will never see me again." Harry moved quickly to the stairs and was surprised to see his aunt waiting at the bottom and holding a cardboard shoebox. "I am leaving so you don't have to say anything."
Harry's aunt vigorously shook her head and said, "Yes, you should go but take this too. It was your freak mother's. I found it in with some of my mother's things and I don't want it in my house!"
Now Harry felt really angry, "You have had something of my mothers and you never gave it to me before today?"
Petunia went white and stared at Harry's face. Her hand drifted up to her forehead as she backed away. "It-, it was in the attic. I just found it last week. I did not know it was there."
Harry grabbed the box and walked angrily outside the Dursley's door for the last time. He was free.
The problem with his freedom was that Harry had not really had a chance to plan it since it came a day early. Harry started jogging down the road towards Mike's flat. Harry figured he could catch the Knight Bus to the Leaky Cauldron and then floo to the Burrow in the morning. But first he had to stop and thank Mike for all of his help this summer.
In a short time Harry had covered the ground between Privet Drive and Mike's flat. The jog had helped Harry work out the anger of Uncle Vernon's parting shots. The Wizarding world placed Harry on a pedestal. Harry knew they should not but if the wizards valued Harry so highly, why couldn't his only family accept him as he was?
Harry ran up the stairs to Mike's third floor flat. It stood over a bakery so it was always filled with the best smells. Harry heard Mike's voice coming from inside the flat and it sounded angry. Harry tentatively knocked on the flat door.
Mike opened the door while still holding a phone and smiled when he saw Harry. Beckoning Harry inside, Mike continued his conversation. Harry walked into the small flat and closed the door.
"Tell me Vernon, on what basis are you closing my contract?" A moment of silence and then he said, "You directed me to stop that work. You said you would change the agreement." A longer silence followed. "So you are saying that you will not keep your word? That is fine. I always knew you were a dishonorable bastard. I submitted the completed project to your people today on time. They reviewed the site and agreed it met all of your requirements and exceeded their expectations. I will expect full and prompt payment or you will hear from my lawyers. Good day sir." And with that, Mike hung up the phone.
Harry had sat down on a couch to listen to the conversation. Harry felt selfish when he realized he had never considered how the incident with Dudley and his friends would affect Mike. As the conversation progressed, Harry felt his spirits raise as Mike told off Uncle Vernon. Harry enjoyed the final moments of the conversation and Mike hanging up on his cousin.
Mike turned and looked at Harry, "Looks like I won't be invited to Christmas dinner!"
Harry laughed and apologized, "I am sorry Mike. I did not mean to make trouble for you. You have only helped me and this is how I repay you."
Mike sat opposite of Harry. After a moment, Mike said, "Harry, I suspected something like this would happen the moment I started training you. That was why I worked on Vernon's project whenever I was not with you."
Harry sat in shock as Mike suddenly frowned at Harry. "You seem to have a habit for taking all of the responsibility for all of the situations you are in. You are not responsible for decisions people make when they are in full awareness of all of the facts."
"Did you know that you could have died your first year when you prevented that professor from stealing the Stone?"
"Yes, I did. But I knew that Voldemort would return if he got the Stone."
"Your friends understood this also?" Harry nodded and felt uncomfortable where he saw this was headed. "If they knew all that you did, how could you take responsibility for their actions? You demean their courage, intelligence and loyalty. They chose to stand with you. It is not your fault. They are not your slaves or servents."
Harry hung his head and realized that what Mike said was true. Ron and Hermione had made that same point. Harry also realized that Neville, Luna, Dumbledore, Ginny and half of the DA had tried to make that same point at various times. In some ways, Harry placed himself on the same pedestal as the rest of the Wizarding world.
Mike moved next to Harry and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "The same thing is true of your parents and Sirius. They also knew of the prophecy, yes? They knew what they were doing and knew the risks. There was nothing you could have done."
Harry sobbed, "How can you be so sure? You were never there!"
Mike quietly replied, "Kid, I have been with you for the better part of two months. You are the type that would dive on a grenade to save his buddies. I know, I have seen the type before."
Mike got up and walked into the small kitchen and poured Harry a glass of water. Handing it to Harry, he asked, "What are your plans now?"
Harry told him of his plan to catch the Knight Bus. Mike considered for a moment and asked, "How far is the Burrow from here?"
Harry had never really considered the matter in Muggle terms. After a moment Harry replied, "About three hours or so. I am not exactly sure. Why?"
"I figured I could just run you down. It is not like I have anything pressing at the moment. It is five o'clock now. We should have you there by 8. No problem."
Harry tried to beg off, "You don't need to do that Mike. You have done so much already."
But Mike shook his head, "From the sounds of it kid, you shouldn't be in the open that way anyhow. I don't think the bad guys will expect you to be traveling by car." Harry agreed with both of Mike's points and accepted the offer. Mike told Harry to hang out for a while until he could throw a bag together.
Within five minutes, Mike was back with a black duffle bag, a tube and a book. Mike handed the tube and the book to Harry and said, "Master Ioshi told me to give you these as a present. Come on, you can look at it in the car."
Harry and Mike got into the car and started off for Ottery St. Catchpole. Mike stopped for a map since neither knew how to get to the Burrow. While Mike was getting the map, Harry read the note.
Master Potter-
The book is "The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi. In 16th century Japan, he was considered a great swordsman and military leader. He was also accomplished at the arts, including sculpting and poetry. His book teaches the art of strategy and swordsmanship.
The sword was created by my great- great-grandfather. His creations have been treated as pieces of art and magic. I believe he would have approved of my gift. May it continue to be magical for you.
- Kijiro Ioshi
Harry opened the tube and slid the katana from the tube. It was gorgeous! Harry had never seen anything even close to it. It was like seeing a Firebolt for the first time after only ever seeing Cleansweeps!
Seeing Mike was returning to the car, Harry slid the sword into the tube. This would have to wait until later to be properly admired.
Harry and Mike moved quickly once they moved out onto more open roads. Harry soon dozed off while Mike moved agilely through the traffic. Harry figured riding with his eyes closed kept him from panicking whenever Mike tried to drive on the wrong side of the road.
As they approached the area of the Burrow, Harry started looking for familiar landmarks. Suddenly, a figure appeared in the road in front of the car. Mike slammed on the brakes and swerved the car to avoid the person.
When the car came to a complete stop, Harry looked out and saw that the person laying on the ground in the road. Harry jumped out of the car and ran to the collapsed figure. Harry called to the person and received no response. Realizing the person had fainted and not been hit by the car, Harry gently grasped the persons should and rolled him over. Harry had just noticed the blond hair when he realized he was looking at Draco Malfoy.
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