A FINAL CHANCE
By: Shadowedheart89
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, nor do I claim to.
Chapter Four: Meeting With Dumbledore
I looked down at Draco's form confused. I remembered reading somewhere that there was no way a boy could get into the girls' rooms, and since Draco was in a completely different house, it should have definately been impossible.
I started to shake him gently to wake him up. "Draco! Wake up, you can't be in here," I whispered urgently.
He woke with a start. His stormy gray eyes were wide and slightly unfocused when he looked at me. "Marlene, what are you doing here?" he asked quietly.
"You're in my dorm. How did you get in here?"
He looked around for a few seconds. "No, this is the Slytherin boys' dorm."
I looked around and noticed that there was no window in which the moon light shone through, and the room was damp and cold, more like a dungeon than a tower. "What happened?" I asked, hoping that he would have some answers.
"I don't know," he answered. We heard some of his roommates stir, and he pulled me onto his bed, yanked the hangings shut, then put a spelling on them with his wand so no one could here us talking. "How did you get here?" he asked again.
"I don't know," I told him, feeling tears fall down my cheeks. "I had a nightmare, so I went down to my common room. When I went back up to bed, I was here."
He seemed to think for a few moments, and I could sense his piercing eyes on me in the darkness of his hangings. "Can you apparate?"
"No," I lied. "Even if I could, you can't on Hogwart's property. It's impossible. Everyone knows that."
"I know," he told me tiredly, "but you've done the impossible before. Maybe you have a new power developing."
"Draco, I don't know what's happening, but I'm scared. Can I just stay with you tonight? Like old times? I don't even know how to get back." I pleaded with him.
He sighed and I sensed him nod in the darkness. "Alright, but if you get caught in here, we'll both be in some serious trouble." Then he lay down and made room for me.
"I promise, we won't get caught," I said, lying next to him. He slid his arm around me, pulling me closer to him and his surprising warmth. I rested my head on his shoulder, and let my arm rest on his bare torso, feeling the muscles that sculpted his lean body. Once again, I was reminded of how much we've grown up since that summer.
"Thank you," I whispered.
He ran his fingers through my hair briefly. "I'm glad you're here," he said so quietly I could barely hear him. Instead of replying, I just turned and kissed him. Then I settled myself against him again, and fell into a peaceful sleep.
When I woke up, it was still pretty early, if my sense of time wasn't off. Draco was still sleeping with his arm around me, and I still had my head on his shoulder. I sat up a bit so that I could see him better and observe him better close up. He features matured a bit oddly. His face, which was always sharp and pointed, was softer. It didn't make him look younger though, but it did make him seem kinder. His white blonde hair was longer than I remembered, and I noticed on the train that he didn't wear it slicked back anymore, making him look more regal, and more like his father, though I knew that if I mentioned it, he would kill me.
As I studied him, his eyes began to flicker open. "Good morning," I said softly, sitting up fully as he stretched in his graceful, cat-like manner.
"Morning," he replied, his voice thick with sleep. "I half expected you to be a dream."
I laughed. "No, I'm real," I told him, then kissed him to confirm my point. When I pulled back, he smirked, and drew me to him again, once again kissing me.
After a few moments, he pulled away. "You are definitely real," he told me.
I laid back down and propped myself up so I could watch him as he continued to lie beside me. I reach out and toyed with a soft strand of his hair that had fallen in his face. "I didn't realize how much I missed you until I saw you yesterday. Then I couldn't stop thinking about you," I told him.
His eyes hardened. "You never really said good-bye. You just left that note. You left my by myself," he told me in a cold voice.
"I tried to see you before I left. I lied to my parents, telling them that I was going to the store for something, and then I snuck over to your manor. I think your father must have seen me crossing the grounds because he stood guard outside of your door. I waited for about a half an hour, then I left and left you a note at our hide-away. I knew you would go there eventually."
"You came to see me?" he asked, sounding disbelieving still.
"Yes," I insisted, looking him directly in his eyes.
It was silent for a few minutes as both of us got caught up in our own memories of our past together. I thought about our hide-away, an abandoned cabin in the woods behind his manor. We fixed it up together, and then would sneak there every chance we could get. They were memories that were some how forgotten, as if a curtain had been drawn over them, only revealing them when I saw him. Something felt out of place about it.
"Draco…" I started breaking the silence attempting to ask him about it, but he interrupted me.
"We should talk about this later. Right now we need to get you out of here before my roommates wake up."
"Can you take me down to breakfast?" I asked. "I can find some of my house mates from there."
He nodded. "Just let me get dressed and ready for the day. Wait here and don't let anyone find you."
He slipped through his hanging and left me to my own thoughts. I used my magic to change into my school robes and conjured my bag, and then began to doze off as I got lost in my memories.
Draco startled me back to consciousness by flinging back the hangings. "Listen all of my roommates are gone, but there are people in the common room. I don't know how we are going to get you out of here without being seen," he said urgently.
"Don't worry about it," I told him standing up and stretching. "Just act normal and walk out of here to breakfast." I looked around the room and spotted Draco's wand on his bedside table. "Just let me borrow this for a moment."
He gave me an apprehensive look. "That may not be such a good idea. Spells don't always work correctly when you use another person's wand."
"Don't worry. I won't blow up your precious wand or room," I told him before casting a Disillusionment charm on myself.
"This could work," he said looking around the room for me. "Just don't make any noise or bump into anyone," he told me as I slipped his wand into his robes, taking extra care to run my hand across his body more than neccessary. I saw him shiver and opened his mouth to say something, but then he must have changed his mind because he just walked out of the room.
I followed him down to his common room, where his friends insisted on stopping him and talking to him. I stood back, trying to stay out of the way and refraining from touching anyone. After awhile, he finally got them to leave him alone by telling them that he had an urgent message that he had to send. They all nodded knowingly, and stepped away.
When he was leaving the common room, he stalled in the doorway longer than need be so that I could slip through. I patted him on the shoulder to let him know that I was out, and he started walking down the hallway. I followed him for a bit before he decided that it was safe, and then he stopped and held his wand out for me.
I took it and took the charm off of myself. "Thanks," I told him, handing him back his wand.
"Welcome," he muttered, slipping it back into his robes, and then continuing to walk.
"Is everything alright?" I asked, keeping stride with him.
"Everything's fine," he responded coldly.
"Are you sure?" I asked. He was acting really weird and I was worried.
"Yes!" he snapped. I stopped where I was and just watched him as he continued a couple of steps. I was surprised. I had never seen him snap like that. I mean we did argue a few times, but he usually remained emotionless the whole time. Now he was expressing real anger. Finally he turned to look at me. "Look I'm sorry. I just have a lot of things going on right now, and now you come back into my life. It's just a lot for me to wrap my mind around, and I'm not sure how to deal with it."
I felt my own anger start to flare. "Fine, I'll just leave you alone. I don't want to complicate your life any more than it is." Then I started to brush past him.
He grabbed my arm as I started to go by him, and pulled me close, turning me so that I was facing him. "That's not what I was trying to say," he said in a quiet, yet angry voice. I tried to pull away, but he continued to hold me in place. He sighed before continuing in a much calmer voice and manner. "Okay, listen. I'm not good with people, and I don't have many friends…"
"I wonder why," I interrupted.
He glared at me for a moment before continuing, still in his calm voice, "What I'm trying to say is that I'm not trying to push you away. I just have a lot of things going on, and they don't have anything to do with you. I'm just trying to sort through them. Just, please, be patient with me. I don't want you to leave."
I looked into his gray eyes, which showed pain and sincerity, and I could sense that he wasn't lying. Instead of answering, I put my hand behind his neck, and drew him down to me so I could kiss him. "You know you can talk to me if you need to," I told him after I pulled away.
"I know," he said sounding relieved. "I just can't right now. I have to figure everything out for myself."
"Okay, but remember that I'm always here to help you, but you have to let me."
He gave me a genuine smile. "I know," he said taking my hand. "Come on, let's get out of here before someone sees us and starts talking."
When we reached the Great Hall, we stood outside of it for a while in an awkward silence. He leaned nonchalantly against a statue, appearing as though he was waiting for someone or something, as I just stood before him, at a loss for something to say.
Finally I came up with, "So, do you think that we'll have any classes together?"
He shrugged indifferently. "We should. Our houses always have at least one or two classes together, but who knows with us having N.E.W.T. classes and with you being a transfer student."
"Oh, well I hope we have at least one class together," I told him.
"Yeah me too," he said, not sounding very enthusiastic.
After another few minutes of silence, I heard someone call my name. Draco and I both turned to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione all coming our way.
I waved to them, but Draco just scowled. "I think that's my cue to leave. I really don't feel like getting into some pointless argument with Potter and his friends."
"Well then don't," I said simply.
He looked at me, surprised. "You wouldn't understand, it's complicated," he told me. I rolled my eyes and he smirked. "I'll just see you later, my dear," he told me before kissing me on the cheek, and then entering the Great Hall.
"Morning," Harry said yawning when they got close.
"Good morning everyone," I responded cheerfully.
Ron and Hermione muttered their good mornings, before Ron asked, "What's with Malfoy? He usually doesn't pass up an opportunity to insult us."
"He's been acting strange," I said absently looking at Harry who had dark circles under his eyes and was looking exhausted. "I take it you didn't get back to sleep," I said to him.
He glanced at his two friends, and then shook his head. "Er…not really." Ron and Hermione started looking at him suspiciously, and he was starting to look a bit nervous as he turned to enter the Great Hall.
"Harry, are you still having nightmares?" Hermione asked sounding worried.
"Hermione, it's not big deal. Everyone has nightmares, especially after something bad happens to them."
I wasn't supposed to say anything was I? I asked Harry telepathically.
I would have preferred if you hadn't, but its okay, he replied, sounding a bit annoyed.
"Harry, not everyone has dreams about what You-Know-Who is planning though," Hermione persisted. This caught my attention and I began to listen avidly.
"It wasn't that kind of nightmare," he said angrily.
"Was it about Sirius?" Ron asked cautiously.
"No! I don't even remember what it was about, but it wasn't about Voldemort, and it wasn't about Sirius!" he snapped. "Now can we just get something to eat and forget about this?"
Hermione wouldn't give up though. "It could have been about something important though. Besides you haven't been getting much sleep all summer. I really think that you should talk to Dumbledore about this."
"Look, if it's about Voldemort, I will tell him. Otherwise I don't see any point in bothering him about my meaningless nightmares. That's precisely what they are, and I am perfectly fine. So stop worrying about me. Just let it go!" Beneath his anger, there seemed to be more. I could sense some fear and shame as well.
She looked a bit hurt, but finally let the matter drop. The four of us finished eating mostly in silence after that, surrounded by the joyous conversations of other students, who didn't seem to let the tension bother them any. I watched the other three, intrigued by the argument. There was obviously something bothering Harry that he didn't want to talk about, and his friends were worried about him. I wasn't sure who Sirius was, but at his name, there was a flare of pain and guilt that came from Harry. I figured that whatever or whomever this Sirius is, was playing a major role in Harry's pain.
As breakfast started to come to a close, hundreds of owls swept in to deliver packages and letters to various and numerous students all over the Hall. I was surprised when I received 3 letters, all with familiar seals. One had the phoenix seal, a trademark of Uncle Albus. The second letter had my family crest on it, obviously from my parents, or more likely my mom. The final one had a seal of a lantern, the "lantern of learning," and was from one of my old mentors, Xavier.
As I opened my letter from Uncle Albus, I noticed that some of the professors were handing out slips of parchment to the students, presumably their class schedules. I watched for a few moments before returning to my letter which read:
Dear Marlene,
I hope that your first night here was most comfortable. Unfortunately, the purpose of this letter is strictly business, and not pleasure. There are a few things that I would like to discuss with you and Mr. Potter pertaining to your classes. I have taken the liberty of scheduling you classes that I feel you would find most enjoyable, and hopefully challenging. I made sure that you would have first period free, and if I know Mr. Potter, he should have it free as well. I hope that you would both use that time to meet with me in my office. I would appreciate it if you would pass the message of our meeting on to Mr. Potter. Enjoy your breakfast.
Love always,
Uncle Albus
I glanced over at Harry, and saw that he was still angry. I didn't want to bother him, but I knew that I had to tell him about the meeting.
"Um, Harry?" I began cautiously. He looked at me amiably enough, so I continued without hesitation. "Professor Dumbledore would like to meet with us. He just sent me a message."
"Great," he mumbled.
"I take it you don't like him too much."
"It's not that. I'm just not in the mood for anymore of his half truths and trying to interpret what he says."
I smiled. "I know what you mean. He hardly ever just comes out and says what he means."
Harry just looked at me for a moment, as if to see if I was joking with him or not. Finally he asked, "So when are we supposed to meet with him?"
I looked at the letter again. "I guess first period. He said that we should both have it free. Look."
He read through the letter then looked at me surprised. "It's signed 'Uncle Albus.' Professor Dumbledore is your uncle?" At his words, several of the people sitting around us turned to look.
I felt myself start to turn red. "Well not exactly. He is just a close friend of my family. I've known him all my life, and he's always had me call him 'Uncle Albus.' I didn't know who he really was until last night when I met with him."
Hermione looked shocked. "How could you not know who Albus Dumbledore is?"
I felt myself get a bit angry. "He went through a lot to hide his true identity from me. He some how took his name out of most of the books and articles I had that would mention him, and I never saw a picture of Albus Dumbledore in any of them. I didn't have anything to compare them too, or even suspected that my kind and elderly uncle could be such a powerful wizard. I just always thought that Albus Dumbledore was a bit eccentric and didn't like to have people write about him or take his picture. It's not really all that uncommon."
"Why?" asked Ron. I looked at him confused and he elaborated. "I mean why would he go to all of the trouble, just so that you wouldn't know that he was such a great wizard?"
I searched my mind for an answer for them and could only come up with, "I guess he was just trying to protect me."
"Protect you from what?" Ron asked, genuinely confused. "It's not like you have You-Know-Who chasing after you like Harry here."
I laughed nervously. I wasn't about to tell them that it was exactly what it was like. Instead I told them, "He probably just didn't want me to use his influence to get things that I wanted from people."
I was saved from any more awkward questions by Professor McGonagall who started to give them their schedules and talking to them about some sort of "owls," although I'm pretty sure they weren't talking about the birds. Why would anyone need 10 owls for? While she was talking to them, I took the opportunity to read the letter from my parents. It read:
Marlene,
Your father and I hope that Hogwarts received you safe and sound. I'm sure that by now you have learned that your Uncle Albus is the headmaster of the school. We hope that it was a pleasant surprise and that you aren't too angry with us. We did what we thought best, and we hope that you believe that. We would never keep anything from you unless we thought that it was going to hurt you. We must warn you though that there are a few more surprises awaiting you there at school. So please be on the look out.
Even though Uncle Albus is there with you, make sure that you don't let your guard down. At the first sign of trouble, you are to inform us immediately. There is nothing more important to us than your safety. We don't mean to be overprotective, and we do want to make sure that you are happy, but more than anything we what you to be safe.
Please, write to us as soon as you get the chance. We know that you'll be busy getting settled in and starting your new classes. We just can't wait to hear how everything is going and all of the new friends you are sure to make there. Good luck with your classes, and try your best. Make sure you stay out of trouble.
Love,
Mom
When I looked up from my letter, I saw Professor McGonagall watching me expectantly.
"I'm sorry, I was just reading this letter," I told her, hurrying to stuff the aforementioned letter in my robes.
"It's quite alright," she said, sounding a bit amused. "As I was saying, Professor Dumbledore has already created your schedule. If you have any problems with it, you are to see him. If I'm not mistaken, you and Mr. Potter have a meeting with him this morning."
"Yes, Professor, we do. Maybe I should go get him now," I said glancing around for Harry. I spotted him a bit down the table with a Ron and a few of their friends, discussing their schedules.
"Very well. Here you go," she said, handing me my schedule. I read through my classes quickly: Defense Against the Dark Arts and double Potions for today. It didn't seem too bad, and I had several free periods. Only, if I knew Uncle Albus, I would still have a full plate from all of the extra things he will be having me do.
I went over by Harry, who seemed to be in a much better mood. When he noticed me he asked, "So did you get first period free?"
"Yeah, did you?"
"Yeah, so why don't we go meet with Dumbledore now, so hopefully we'll have time to go back to the common room to relax a bit before class."
I told him it sounding like a good idea, and then he said good bye to his friends as they started to get ready to go to their respective classes, and Ron promised to wait for us in the common room.
When we reached the now familiar gargoyle statue, Harry stopped and looked at me. "You wouldn't happen to know the password would you?"
I searched my brain for Professor McGonagall said last night to make the gargoyle move. After a few seconds, I remembered it. "Licorice wands," I said clearly, and the gargoyle moved, revealing the staircase.
Harry grinned at me and motioned for me to go on up. "Ladies first," he said.
I rolled my eyes, and then went up the stairs. This time, when I reached the door, I didn't hesitate to knock. When I heard the soft voice tell me to enter, I did so confidently, with Harry trailing behind me.
"Marlene, Harry, I'm glad you two could see me. I hope that you both slept well," he said looking at me with a knowing sparkle in his eyes.
I studied him for a moment, and recalled the mention of me having a good night in his letter. "You know don't you?" I asked him.
"Yes, I'm afraid I do," he answered, sounding highly amused.
"Am I in trouble?"
"No, but that is something we must discuss at a later moment. What I want to discuss with you both now is extra lessons that I want you to take. Harry, would I be correct in assuming that you are still having nightmares and tapping into Voldemort's feelings?"
"Yes, but the nightmares, haven't really had much to do with him," Harry said quietly, as if he would rather not be having this conversation.
"Even so, I would like for you to continue your Occlumency lessons."
Harry groaned. "Professor, I didn't make any progress last year. In fact, they seemed to make things worse."
"Yes, you are right. This is why I think we shall try a different approach. Although Professor Snape is a highly skilled Occlumens, I must say that your lessons with him were a complete fiasco. His methods and choices of spells did not seem to be the best fit for you. Unfortunately we didn't have anyone skilled enough to take over your lessons. Now we do. I would like you to meet your new teacher, Marlene Wizidore."
"What!" I exclaimed surprised. I wasn't prepared for this. "Professor, I'm not qualified to teach anything, let alone Occlumency. I don't even know what that is."
"Marlene, dear, relax," he said soothingly. "You are a natural born telepath are you not?" he asked. I nodded, not really seeing where he was going with this. "Occlumency is merely the defense of the mind against external penetration. You know how to block your mind do you not?"
"Yes," I said, still trying to grasp the idea of actually teaching someone. I mean its one thing to show a friend how to do some spells, but it's a completely different thing when the headmaster of one of the most prostigious schools asks you to give "The Chosen One" personal lessons.
"Simply put, even the weakest natural telepath is stronger than one who is highly skilled in Legilimency. If you can teach Harry to block you, he can block anyone."
"Sounds simple enough," I said, thinking about whether or not I could do this.
"Maybe not," Harry said. "I'm not very good at it."
"Well it sounds like last time you used spells. I have an easier approach. I'm sure that with some practice you'll get it with no problem."
Dumbledore watched our whole exchange with sparkling eyes. I could tell that he was pleased. "Well, would it be safe in saying that you both are okay with this?"
Harry and I looked at each other for a moment before we both nodded.
"Wonderful," he said cheerfully. "Now there is one more thing that I would like to discuss. It has to do with the club you started last year, Harry. I believe you called it Dumbledore's Army."
I couldn't help but laugh. I just couldn't get the image of the Uncle Albus I know leading an army of anything to seem normal in my mind. "Dumbledore's Army? What kind of club was this exactly?"
Harry turned a bit red as Dumbledore asked him to explain it to me. "Well you see, last year our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher would only teach us the theory of defense and wouldn't let us practice the practical aspects. We weren't even allowed to have our wand out. Plus, the Ministry was in denial that Voldemort was back, and thought that Professor Dumbledore was using the school to create an army to rebel against them.
"Hermione was the one who came up with the whole idea. We all wanted to learn how to defend ourselves, because we knew that Voldemort was on the rise again. So, she thought that we could teach ourselves. So we formed a group, and I was the teacher, showing everyone how to do the spells and helping with them what they would need to know, since I was the one who has faced him several times. For a name, we came up with Dumbledore's Army, mostly as a joke. We thought it was funny, that is until it backfired when we got caught."
"Fortunately, that is all in the past," he said, the cheerfulness still in his voice. "The whole point of this is that I would like for you to continue with the group, with Marlene's help."
"My help? How am I supposed to help?" I blurted out, surprised.
Dumbledore gave me a stern look. "Now Marlene, you as well as I know that you have come across spells and incantations that most people in this part of the world have never even heard of."
"Why would they listen to me? I'm just the new student," I said, trying to make excuses to not do it. It would be too easy to let slip the power that I possess.
"If you decide not to help Marlene, let it be because you truly don't want to do it, and not because you are afraid of something. I'm not asking you to decide now or to show everyone everything that you know. I just want you to help them be prepared in case something happens. You both will have time to think it over. I do however hope that you start with the Occlumency lessons as soon as you can."
I nodded and sat there thinking silently.
"Professor, when would there be time for all of this?" Harry asked. "I mean I expect to have a full work load with our N.E.W.T. classes plus I'm Quidditch captain, and now you want Occlumency lessons and D.A. meetings?"
"Yes, but I have already thought of this. Your class schedules are the same, so you can help each other with homework. Marlene is quite adept to large work loads and I'm sure you will find her more than willing to help out. Your free periods are the same as well so you can use those for Occlumency lessons or for homework. Your Occlumency lessons are on your own schedule. I'll just be checking in periodically to make sure that you are progressing well, and the D.A. meetings will also be at your discretion.
"I assure you both, that if you decide to do this, I will help you all that I can. Now, I just ask that you take a while and think about it."
Harry and I both nodded. "That's fair enough," I said.
"Well Harry, you may now leave. There are a few things that I would like to discuss with Marlene in private," Dumbledore said kindly.
"Yes sir. I'll wait for you outside," he told me, before leaving quietly.
When Harry left, I looked at Dumbledore and asked, "What do you think your doing? If you push Harry and me together anymore, we'll be sick of each other by the end of the week."
His eyes twinkled. "I'm not so sure that's going to be the case. For one I'm not pushing you two together. You two have already formed some kind of bond. It is apperent that you will become close over the up coming weeks. Your friendship may also be good for the greater purpose, together you are almost unstoppable, and may be able to break the darkness that we have been living in for so long since Voldemort's rise. Also, I know that you have a friendship with Mr. Malfoy, so I'm sure that you will be spending time with him, apart from being near Harry."
"You can't just force things," I said angrily. For once I was beginning to have acutal friends, and I was a bit afraid that Uncle Albus's forcefulness would drive Harry away.
"I am not forcing you. You and Harry have already started to open up to each other, without my help, and Draco you knew years ago."
I sighed, "So what else is there that you have to talk to me about?"
"We must discuss your teleporting during the night. I know that you ended up going to Mr. Malfoy last night."
I felt myself blush, "It was an accident. I wasn't sure what happened. I guess I was just shaken up by my nightmare. I had gone down to the Gryffindor common room for a whle to relax, and when I went up to bed, I ended up in the Draco's room. I didn't try to. I thought it was impossible."
"So it should be. It seems as though your powers are stronger than the spells placed upon these walls," he said thoughtfully. "Now I am faced with a decision. I have three choices: I can give you another potion weakening your powers further, find a way to strengthen the spells on this castle farther and hope that they will suffice, or I can trust that you will not abuse your powers in anyway."
"Uncle Albus, I promise I won't use my power. Well intentionally. I will work on getting it under control, I promise,"I begged. I hate having my powers weakened. It makes me feel as I have been stripped and that I'm vulnerable.
"I believe you. That is why I'm going to trust you. I will not be watching you, so if you have another nightmare and end up in Mr. Malfoy's room, I may not notice. But if things become too friendly, I assure you that I will know," he told me sternly. "Marlene you must be careful though. Even though I am giving you permission to use your powers, you have to use them wisely. Remember you are trying to keep them secret, so don't go flaunting them to the other students."
"Yes, sir," I said quietly.
"Very well. I think that is all for now, and I have another meeting in a few moments," he said standing up. He came over to me and gave me a hug. "Have a good first day of classes, and make sure you listen to your teachers, and I mean all of them. I will not be bailing you out of trouble now,"
I laughed, "Yes, Uncle, of course. I'll be on my best behavior."
After that, I left his office, and met with Harry outside. We began to walk back to the tower, to meet up with Ron and to get ready for our first day of classes.