Declarations
It took the group about five seconds until they got their normal expressions back.Hermione smiled weakly and looked at Draco, once more. He looked at her with an unreadable expression on his face, but a blush on his pale cheeks betrayed what he really thought of the whole situation.
Mrs Weasley was the first one that got her 'ability to move' back. She wispered something to Dumbledore. The headmaster nodded and indicated to the others that they had to leave for a moment.
When everyone except for Hermione had left, Mrs Weasley went to Draco with quick paces. Draco himself took a few steps back, not wanting to know what Mrs Weasley thought of the many years he had pestered her son.
"You!" she began, causing Draco to swallow hard, "...Are the only person in this room who I'd like to curse to Azkaban and give a big hug at the same time." she finished with a smile.
Draco ventured a small smile too, but he grimaced suddenly, when a stab of pain went through his body.
"Oh dear, where are my manners?" Molly said and, before Draco could object, she took him by the arm and supported him to his bed. She put a cushion behind his back and tugged him in, motherly like she was. Then she sat down next to him.
"Young man, I can start a tirade until the cows come home, but I won't." she said, "It's not your fault that the Weasleys and the Malfoys started on the wrong foot. I forgive you for the things you said to my children and I hope you can forgive them too for saying things that might 've hurt you."
"We're not here to tell you how to behave," Mr Weasley said, "But we, and especially I, want to thank you for proving your loyalty to Dumbledore. It saved my life."
"I've done nothing that's worth mentioning ." Draco whispered.
"That's where you're wrong. You have saved my life and that's worth more then you'll ever know, never forget that."
Draco just nodded, not used that a Weasley was friendly to him.
After knocking this time, Dumbledore entered again with the Minister of Magic. Fudge had a sad expression on his face. The Weasleys knew what he was here for and left the infirmary, saying goodbye to Draco and Hermione.
"Ah, there's the young Malfoy," Fudge said and he shook hands with Draco. "I'll get to the point immediately. I have the Death certificate of your parents here with me and I must read it to you. Official rules, you see."
Hermione took a seat next to Draco and took his hand.
Fudge cleared his throat and continued: "Declaration of the decease of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, perished at Malfoy Manor at 9.16 AM on the 15th of Septembre... By article 2413 of the Magical Law I hereby declare that all properties of the named persons are, by right of succession, inherited by their son Draco Malfoy."
The minister folded the parchment and gave it to Draco. Then he took another piece of parchment out of his pocket and said: "Since you haven't come to age yet, you'll be placed into custody. A guardian has been chosen by professor Dumbledore. You have 24h to declare whether you'll accept this guardian."
"Who?" Draco asked, browbeated by everything that was said.
"Professor Severus Snape."
Draco was silent for a moment, then said: "I declare that I'll accept Severus Snape as my guardian."
"Good," Fudge said and he looked at his watch, "Oh look at the time. So sorry, but I have to leave, important meeting... Dumbledore, if you'll please inform Draco about our plans as soon as possible?"
The minister took Draco's free hand again and softly said: "My condolences on the death of your parents." Then he bowed and left the hospital wing.
"I know I'm asking for the impossible, but can we discuss these plans with you now, Draco? It won't be a waiste of your time, I can assure you." Dumbledore asked.
'Sure' was all that Draco could say.
Dumbledore went to the door and called for Harry, Lupin and Sirius. Ron accompagnied them, not wanting to be an outkast. They all took a seat next to Draco's bed. Ron looked at Hermione and saw that she was still holding hands with Draco. She didn't know why, but she let go of his hand when she saw Ron looking at her.
Madam Pomfrey came out of her office to see what was going on. Before she could start a lecture about 'How-it-was-very-unappropriate-to-tire-her- patient-like-this' Dumbledore said: "We're almost gone, Poppy, this won't take long."
Her response was an incredulous snort.
Dumbledore turned to Draco and said: "I can hear you think 'what is this all about?'. Well, Draco, we need your help. While you were in a coma, the dark side has been defeated. Except for the most important person: Voldemort. Thanks to your letter we were able to locate him yesterday evening. You can believe we have to act very fast now, before he disappears again. And that's where you come into play. The Order of the Phoenix will guide you and Harry to the place where he's located. The two of you must defeat him there. Only the two of you, together, can defeat him. We're planning to attack in two days. In the meanwhile Harry and you will be trained by Lupin and Sirius after the morning lessons, every day. Will you help us?"
Draco didn't need to think twice about this proposal and said: "Yes."
"I thank you on behalf of the whole wizarding world." Dumbledore said solemn, "Then there's only one more thing to do. Harry, come here."
Harry reluctantly rose from his chair and went to Draco's bed, knowing what he had to do. He looked at Dumbledore once more, seeking a sign that he didn't have to do this. To his annoyance, Dumbledore just raised an eyebrow. Harry sighed and stretched his hand out.
Draco looked at Harry's hand like it was something extra-terestrial first, then slowly took it and shook it. No matter what feelings he had for Hermione, he would never think that Harry could become more then the pest that he was. Not even mentioning the Weasel. It wasn't long before their hands separated again.
"Well done." Dumbledore merely said with the usual twinkle in his eye, completely ignoring the I-still-hate-you-signs between Draco and Harry.
Madam Pomfrey saw her chance. She pushed Harry and Ron to the exit while repeating the word 'out!' the whole way. She expelled Dumbledore and Hermione with 'Please, go!' and chased Lupin and Sirius away with a glare.
Author's note : I have to struggle sometimes to get a bit of humour in this story! Oh well, this was the next chapter for all those 'Oh NO! not a cliffie! u r pure EVIL! post soon!-shouting' readers :-)
To 'Nooooo!' : I'm honoured that you think of my story as a birthday gift! My birthday is in June too :-)
To 'Tom *Felton's* Babe' : (Hey! I thought I was his babe?!? :-) ) I love your quote "God made coke, god made pepsi, god made Draco damn sexy". It's so funny!!!
To 'Too Far Lost' : Keep that evil side away from me! It scared the hell out of me!!! :-D
To all readers : Keep R&R!!! I love reviews, they make me happy! So, post a review and make my day :-)
Your humble writer,
Ravenklauw ;-)
It took the group about five seconds until they got their normal expressions back.Hermione smiled weakly and looked at Draco, once more. He looked at her with an unreadable expression on his face, but a blush on his pale cheeks betrayed what he really thought of the whole situation.
Mrs Weasley was the first one that got her 'ability to move' back. She wispered something to Dumbledore. The headmaster nodded and indicated to the others that they had to leave for a moment.
When everyone except for Hermione had left, Mrs Weasley went to Draco with quick paces. Draco himself took a few steps back, not wanting to know what Mrs Weasley thought of the many years he had pestered her son.
"You!" she began, causing Draco to swallow hard, "...Are the only person in this room who I'd like to curse to Azkaban and give a big hug at the same time." she finished with a smile.
Draco ventured a small smile too, but he grimaced suddenly, when a stab of pain went through his body.
"Oh dear, where are my manners?" Molly said and, before Draco could object, she took him by the arm and supported him to his bed. She put a cushion behind his back and tugged him in, motherly like she was. Then she sat down next to him.
"Young man, I can start a tirade until the cows come home, but I won't." she said, "It's not your fault that the Weasleys and the Malfoys started on the wrong foot. I forgive you for the things you said to my children and I hope you can forgive them too for saying things that might 've hurt you."
"We're not here to tell you how to behave," Mr Weasley said, "But we, and especially I, want to thank you for proving your loyalty to Dumbledore. It saved my life."
"I've done nothing that's worth mentioning ." Draco whispered.
"That's where you're wrong. You have saved my life and that's worth more then you'll ever know, never forget that."
Draco just nodded, not used that a Weasley was friendly to him.
After knocking this time, Dumbledore entered again with the Minister of Magic. Fudge had a sad expression on his face. The Weasleys knew what he was here for and left the infirmary, saying goodbye to Draco and Hermione.
"Ah, there's the young Malfoy," Fudge said and he shook hands with Draco. "I'll get to the point immediately. I have the Death certificate of your parents here with me and I must read it to you. Official rules, you see."
Hermione took a seat next to Draco and took his hand.
Fudge cleared his throat and continued: "Declaration of the decease of Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, perished at Malfoy Manor at 9.16 AM on the 15th of Septembre... By article 2413 of the Magical Law I hereby declare that all properties of the named persons are, by right of succession, inherited by their son Draco Malfoy."
The minister folded the parchment and gave it to Draco. Then he took another piece of parchment out of his pocket and said: "Since you haven't come to age yet, you'll be placed into custody. A guardian has been chosen by professor Dumbledore. You have 24h to declare whether you'll accept this guardian."
"Who?" Draco asked, browbeated by everything that was said.
"Professor Severus Snape."
Draco was silent for a moment, then said: "I declare that I'll accept Severus Snape as my guardian."
"Good," Fudge said and he looked at his watch, "Oh look at the time. So sorry, but I have to leave, important meeting... Dumbledore, if you'll please inform Draco about our plans as soon as possible?"
The minister took Draco's free hand again and softly said: "My condolences on the death of your parents." Then he bowed and left the hospital wing.
"I know I'm asking for the impossible, but can we discuss these plans with you now, Draco? It won't be a waiste of your time, I can assure you." Dumbledore asked.
'Sure' was all that Draco could say.
Dumbledore went to the door and called for Harry, Lupin and Sirius. Ron accompagnied them, not wanting to be an outkast. They all took a seat next to Draco's bed. Ron looked at Hermione and saw that she was still holding hands with Draco. She didn't know why, but she let go of his hand when she saw Ron looking at her.
Madam Pomfrey came out of her office to see what was going on. Before she could start a lecture about 'How-it-was-very-unappropriate-to-tire-her- patient-like-this' Dumbledore said: "We're almost gone, Poppy, this won't take long."
Her response was an incredulous snort.
Dumbledore turned to Draco and said: "I can hear you think 'what is this all about?'. Well, Draco, we need your help. While you were in a coma, the dark side has been defeated. Except for the most important person: Voldemort. Thanks to your letter we were able to locate him yesterday evening. You can believe we have to act very fast now, before he disappears again. And that's where you come into play. The Order of the Phoenix will guide you and Harry to the place where he's located. The two of you must defeat him there. Only the two of you, together, can defeat him. We're planning to attack in two days. In the meanwhile Harry and you will be trained by Lupin and Sirius after the morning lessons, every day. Will you help us?"
Draco didn't need to think twice about this proposal and said: "Yes."
"I thank you on behalf of the whole wizarding world." Dumbledore said solemn, "Then there's only one more thing to do. Harry, come here."
Harry reluctantly rose from his chair and went to Draco's bed, knowing what he had to do. He looked at Dumbledore once more, seeking a sign that he didn't have to do this. To his annoyance, Dumbledore just raised an eyebrow. Harry sighed and stretched his hand out.
Draco looked at Harry's hand like it was something extra-terestrial first, then slowly took it and shook it. No matter what feelings he had for Hermione, he would never think that Harry could become more then the pest that he was. Not even mentioning the Weasel. It wasn't long before their hands separated again.
"Well done." Dumbledore merely said with the usual twinkle in his eye, completely ignoring the I-still-hate-you-signs between Draco and Harry.
Madam Pomfrey saw her chance. She pushed Harry and Ron to the exit while repeating the word 'out!' the whole way. She expelled Dumbledore and Hermione with 'Please, go!' and chased Lupin and Sirius away with a glare.
Author's note : I have to struggle sometimes to get a bit of humour in this story! Oh well, this was the next chapter for all those 'Oh NO! not a cliffie! u r pure EVIL! post soon!-shouting' readers :-)
To 'Nooooo!' : I'm honoured that you think of my story as a birthday gift! My birthday is in June too :-)
To 'Tom *Felton's* Babe' : (Hey! I thought I was his babe?!? :-) ) I love your quote "God made coke, god made pepsi, god made Draco damn sexy". It's so funny!!!
To 'Too Far Lost' : Keep that evil side away from me! It scared the hell out of me!!! :-D
To all readers : Keep R&R!!! I love reviews, they make me happy! So, post a review and make my day :-)
Your humble writer,
Ravenklauw ;-)