Chapter 3
We can make a better future
Draco smirked as Potter made a dash for the loo. Poor little Scarhead, run off by his poor dead parents. Growing up in a the magical community, he knew he often took magic for granted. But this was easily the strangest thing that had ever happened to him, and he wasn't hiding in the toilet.
He glanced at the timetable he had been handed and saw the heading. Gryffindor House. Could have been worse. At least he wasn't in Hufflepuff. What would his father had said about a Malfoy in Hufflepuff.
His father. His mother. Severus. If they really were in the past, and evidence did suggest they were, then they were all out there somewhere and none of them even knew who he was. Not like he could use a false name or anything. All it would take is one look and everyone would know he was a Malfoy.
Speaking of which, Potter was an idiot. The older Potter. Well the younger one, too. But mostly the older. He hadn't made a single comment about being introduced to several people sporting pureblood names. Then again, neither had Dumbledore, really. Dumbledore. When he had handed him the timetable, Draco couldn't even bring himself to look the man in the eyes. Sure, he knew Occulmency. But still, the old coot was crafty. Draco looked up through his bangs and quickly looked away from him. He looked so vibrant. Still really old but no where near the broken mess he was on the floor of the astronomy tower.
The Weasel was an incompetent, but in this circumstance, he was right. Golden Boy saved the day and that meant aurors were going to be after him for Azkaban regardless of the fact that he didn't even really do anything all that bad. The dementors may be gone but he didn't want to go to prison. Not that he wanted to be in this hell full of gryffindors. But since he had no clue how to get out of here, he decided that the best course of action was to keep his mouth shut and his eyes open.
The mudblood stepped forward and of course started talking. The girl never shut up. "Sorry about him, we've been through a little bit of an ordeal. Our school was attacked and we lost a few of our friends. Luckily, Professor Dumbledore is allowing us to complete our seventh year here so we can get our NEWTS."
"Why are you in hospital?"
"Oh, Madam Pomfrey just wanted to do quick physicals on us. No big deal."
"Mr. Potter. Ms. Evans. You will find Professor McGonagall in her office. " Dumbledore placed a hand on each of their shoulders and started steering them toward the door. "Please tell her that I asked her to explain your duties for the coming year."
Once the headboy and girl were gone, Loony stepped over and knocked on the bathroom door. "They're gone Harry."
Potter stepped out all blushing and refusing to meet anyone's eyes, "Sorry, I just..."
"No need to explain my boy. Something about them troubled you?"
"Yeah, and I just noticed this timetable has me in Slytherin."
Draco couldn't help it. He laughed. He laughed so hard he actually fell out of his bed. He reached up to wipe the tears out of his eyes and noticed that everyone else in the room was staring at him but only Dumbledore looked amused. "Oh, come on. You have to admit that is funny. The Golden Boy in Slytherin has to be the most unlikely thing I've ever heard."
"Not as unlikely as you would imagine. Anyway. I haven't seen the sorting hat, so how could it already place us? And do any of you have a strange mark?"
Once again, all the idiots were looking at him. "Not that one. Like this." Potter held out his right hand to show the others the black spot on his hand. Draco couldn't make out what it was but frankly didn't want to get any closer to make it out. The others all looked at their own hands in surprise and Draco looked down to see there was a black M with the plant on his hand as well.
"Great. One more ugly tattoo I didn't ask for."
"Those marks are definitely something to research." Dumbledore said which Draco knew just meant 'I don't know,'"As to the sorting hat, all it would say was that you all are now enrolled. The timetables were in the book. Am I to assume that you all were placed in different houses."
Again Granger stepped up, "Yes sir, it put me in Ravenclaw but originally I was in..."
"No need to specify. Like I said earlier, it actually would be best if you kept all future knowledge to yourself as it might endanger the timeline. Huhm, I've never heard of anyone being resorted. Maybe there would be more answers in this Founder's Suite."
"You said this has happened before? Time traveling exchange students?" Granger asked
"When I became headmaster, I was let in on a few secrets, secrets which I can't tell you right now."
"Sir, if we could discuss when this happened before, we might be able to get back."
"I agree with your friend here." He put his hand on Luna's shoulder."You will get back, when the time is right. Are you all ready for some explorations?"
"Before we go, I need to ask Madam Pomfrey if she has any spare glasses. Wouldn't go to be walking into walls." Potter said. It was a pity really. With out the horrid glasses and with his hair long like it was, he was half-way decent looking.
"You probably should just ask her to charm them. With glasses you would just look even more like your dad." Granger pointed out.
"There is a charm to fix your eyes?" He actually sounded amazed.
Yep, he's an idiot.
After Madam Pomfrey came back, she made them choke down the potion for smoke inhalation and did the quick charm on Potter's eyes. They then made their way out of the hospital wing in bare feet and hospital pajamas. Draco was sincerely glad that no one he knew was there to see him.
They stopped a little ways down from the tapestry of dancing trolls and Longbottom stepped up to pass in front of the stone wall three times. Only the headmaster was surprised when a door appeared. However, once they entered the dark little room, they were all confused.
"I expected something the founders used to be more... I don't know... more." Weasley said sounding exactly like the moron he was.
"Neville, are you sure you asked for the right thing?"
"I know how the room works, Hermione. I did practically live in here for two terms."
"Look, a door." Potter said.
The door was dark wood with a large Hogwart's crest etched on it. Around the edge of the door were a series of runes. The top left corner was the M and white flowering plant. There was no knob. Potter pushed but it didn't budge.
"I've seen this design before. It's on the back panel in the closet in my office. I always thought it was a strange place to put such detail." The Headmaster ran his fingers over the Crest. "Open by order of the Headmaster."
Still nothing happened.
Dumbledore stepped back, "This old castle is full of mystery. She never ceases to amaze me."
"Right. Longbottom, I thought you were going to ask it for our school supplies." Draco sneered. Standing in the dark little room with so many other people was really starting to get on his nerves.
"No, I asked it for the Founder's Suite. And since ..." The door swung open.
Potter stepped forward and entered the large common room first. The room was an elongated oval. At the end closest to the door they just opened was a round table with eight chairs. At the other end of the room was a sitting area and a large fire place. The walls were lined with over a dozen doors. The ceiling either held the same enchantment as the great hall or actually looked up at the night sky.
All seven turned at the pop behind them. The headmaster was sprawled on the floor.
"Are you okay, sir?" Potter stepped forward to help the old coot up. Draco schooled himself to not laugh.
"It seems the room really didn't want me to enter. Pity."
"I guess the ugly tattoos are worth something. Thank Merlin, I won't have to actually stay with those stupid Gryffindors."
"I'm sorry Mr. Malfoy but I can't allow any of you to stay where the school staff can't enter, there may be an emergency. You will be expected to stay in your house dormitories regardless of your personal feelings."
"Could you call one of the house elves?"
Dumbledore gave Draco an odd look but still called out for Tippy. The elf popped right up next to him. "Headmaster sir?"
"Can you enter this room?" Draco asked the elf
"Of course, sir?" The elf moved forward and Draco clapped his hands together. "Great. See Headmaster, School staff can enter the room. Elf, I honestly can't remember the last time I ate. Bring dinner."
"Oh, please do. And pumpkin juice." Longbottom rubbed his raspy throat.
"I would love an apple." Loony said still staring at the ceiling.
"I'm starving myself." Weasley added.
"I think she gets the idea guys." Grager is such a bitch.
"Sir," Potter said "Not that I want to agree with Malfoy or anything, but I agree with Malfoy. I can't sleep in a room full of Slytherins."
"Mr. Potter, I would hope you would not be prejudice against someone just because of the house they are in. Each house..."
"No sir, my concern is more like, I wake up from a nightmare with Snape leaning over my bed and then I cruciate him."
"I hardly think you would do something so unforgiveable."
"I'm sure that's what Amycus Carrow thought, too. Oh look, how the starlight twinkles around the room like fairies, it's just beautiful." Loony moved farther into the room and Draco reveled in the blush staining perfect Potter's face.
"Sir, I really can't sleep with the Slytherins."
"Try it before you make such a blanket statement."
"Look here." Hannah moved to the walls where there was a door with a large red G. On one side of the door was a trunk with the initials HA on the other DM.
Sounds of excitement echoed through the common room but Draco didn't really care about anyone else. All that mattered was that when he opened the lid to his truck, sitting right on top was a long thin box. The wand inside wasn't hawthorn. He didn't know what it was and frankly he didn't care. The magic flowed through him and came out in pink sparkles from the tip of the wand. Finally, after so long he felt like a real wizard again. He caught sight of Potter off to his right making sparks of his own. Draco really couldn't help sending off a quick stinging hex.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Just making sure it works. Calm down."
Luckily, the arrival of the elves with several platters of food prevented Potter from making whatever murderous action he was going to make next.
"There is no need for me to stand here watching you eat. I will send an elf back later to show you where you can stay for the night."
"I'm sure some of these doors lead to bedrooms. Honestly, we will be fine Headmaster." Granger said.
He looked like he was going to argue but instead turned back to the elf, "There are rooms here ready for use?"
"Yes sir, we's always keeping the suite up. They's fine."
"You will be reassinged to watch over them."
"Thank yous, Headmaster Sir."
The old coot finally moved off and the door shut quietly on its own. For several long minutes the only sounds made were knives scraping plates and Weasley's god awful smacking. The idiot had no manners and was wolfing down dinner rolls like he hadn't eaten in a week.
Lovegood was the one to finally break the silence. "I bet this is your reward, Harry, for saving the world and all."
"Reward? If fate wanted to give me a reward, I would rather of had a week of uninterrupted sleep. And it isn't as if I did it by myself."
"You're not here by yourself are you?"
"It still doesn't make any since, Luna. Why would they send us here as a reward for killing Voldemort. He's alive here."
"And if that was the reason, I wouldn't be here." Hannah said. "I didn't really do anything."
"You fought in the battle." Longbottom blushed when when she looked at him.
"So did a lot of people."
"I don't think it matters why we're here." Potter said. "I just want to get back. He's dead. I'm supposed to be able to live now without that whole destiny thing hanging over my head."
"We could kill him, now." They all stopped eating to stare at Longbottom.
"Neville, if we did that, the whole time line could change." Granger said.
"Exactly. Harry and I grow up with parents. All those people who died, don't."
"There are laws regarding time travel. Horrible things happen to wizards who mess with the future."
"I agree with Neville." Weasley said actually putting down the chicken leg he was holding. "We could kill him now. We're the only ones who can. Harry is still Harry even if the prophecy hasn't been made yet."
"I don't know what you mean, Ron. I was listening to Harry in the great hall when he dueled him. All that stuff about his wand and Draco's wand and Dumbledore's wand. Draco doesn't even have his wand now." Hannah said.
"It's not a matter of the wands. We can do it."
Draco still wasn't convinced about this idea. "I'm not sure I'm ready to bet my existence on the off chance that you think you could make life better."
"I think if we killed him now, it would be better. Like Neville said, him and I would actually grow up with parents who love us. And your dad came out of the first war just fine, Imperio my ass. Anyway, it wasn't until Voldemort came back that things went to shit for him and your family. Admit it."
"Well I still vote no. It's too dangerous." Granger said like her say so was all that mattered.
"I don't think your vote counts." Draco pointed out. "Your parents are muggles, regardless of what we do here, you'll still be born. Potter was correct, Voldemort coming back was the worst thing that ever happened to my family and nothing means more to me than them."
"I vote yes." Said Hannah. "I want my mom to live."
"Yes" said Longbottom
"Yes" said Weasel
"We can make it better, Hermione." Potter pleaded.
"But if there is no Voldemort, then there would be no Quirell, and without Quirell there would be no troll. And with no troll we wouldn't be friends. Everything is connected."
"So you being friends with those two is more important than my mother being tortured to death."
"That's not what I mean, Hannah. I mean we don't know how many things we could mess up. Like Malfoy said. Our very existences could be on the line."
"I would give up my life to save the people I love. Frankly, I already did." Potter got up from the table and moved into the sitting area.
"Luna, you haven't voted." Weasley said
"What will be will be."
"In Luna land that means yes. Are you with us or not, Hermione."
"As if you had to even ask. Of course I'm with you."
"Tippy!"
"Ron, you shouldn't call the elves like that. She may have been doing something important."
"Yes sir?"
"Tippy would you bring us a bottle of firewhisky and some glasses please."
"I'm not allowed to give spirits to the students sir."
"Then it is a good thing we are not students until tomorrow." Weasley pointed out.
"We are all of age." Longbottom added.
The elf looked indecisive for a few seconds before popping out and then back with a silver tray. She placed the serving tray on the table then popped back out.
Weasley pored the firewhiskey into the seven shot glasses and each student reached out and grabbed one except for Draco. Hannah picked his up and thrust it into his hand. He wouldn't have taken it except getting pissed actually sounded like the best idea he ever heard.
Granger lifted her glass, "To a better future."
The others echoed her sentiment but Draco just knocked down the shot. He shook his head to rid his eyes of the burn of the liquor. Granger however let her tears fall and chocked back a sob. "We thought we lost you, Harry. You were so still and Hagrid said you were de...dead."
She lunged forward wrapping her arms around Potter. The Weasel came up behind her and wrapped his arms around them both. Loony, Longbottom and Abbott stepped forward to join the embrace. All six crying and babbling on about people who died in the fight.
The battle. Merlin, it was just a matter of hours. Sort of. Anyway, it was awful, but Draco didn't feel like blubbering on like a second year Hufflepuff. He bit back at least a dozen snide comments at their over emotional display. Finally he decided the best thing to do was to step forward and liberate the whiskey from the table.
Obviously the lesser beings couldn't handle it. The image of Vincent Crabbe entered his mind for just a minute before he was able to black out his emotions and clear his mind just like he had been taught. He settled himself on the high back chair in front of the fire and took a swig straight from the bottle.
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A/N. I don't have a beta so please feel free to point out my mistakes. I got a pretty thick skin.