Disclaimer I do not own Harry Potter and everything recognisable belongs to J K Rowling.
Thanks for all the fab reviews! I take it you all like emotional chapters, huh? Well, I guess I could do some more then! Here is the next chappie. Enjoy!
Chapter Forty
Harry let out a tired sigh as he threw the finished file onto the growing pile on his desk. That was the last file and Harry was still no closer to finding the Metamorphmagus that liked dressing as the Dark Prince. Harry eyed the fifteen files that Remus had given him on his birthday. That was three days ago. He had gone through all of them and had found none that could possibly be the 'Dark Prince' impersonator.
Harry took out his wand and shrunk the files to pocket size. They would be easier to carry for Remus. He was supposed to be coming today and had promised to bring the new batch of files he and Sirius had sneaked out.
Harry rubbed at his tired eyes. He had been doing nothing but reading the files for the last few days. But no matter how tired he felt, he knew he could be feeling worse. Harry was extremely grateful that his nightly torture was over. Since his visit to Riddle Manor, he hadn't suffered anymore nightmares. Not a single one. Harry knew it had something to do with going back to his old home and coming to terms with what had happened. Knowing the truth had settled him and as a result, he was able to sleep once again, in peace.
Just as Harry got up from his desk, he heard the door open behind him. Damien poked his head into the room.
"Hey, you about finished?" he asked.
"Yeah" Harry answered.
Damien gave a dramatic sigh and walked inside.
"Thank Merlin! I thought you were never going to finish." He plopped down onto Harry's bed and gave him a stern look. "How long does it take to read through a file?" he asked with a faked reprimand.
Harry raised his eyebrows at him.
"There were fifteen of them and I was reading them thoroughly. But I don't see what this has to do with you!" he added.
"It does have to do with me since its summer and I want to spend it doing something productive and not just lazing around inside. Since you've decided to do your own project, I'm left on my own to be bored senseless." Damien whined.
Harry rolled his eyes at his brother's antics and moved towards the door.
"I told you to train on your own. It's not like you don't know what to do." Harry said. He was secretly very proud that Damien was taking such an interest in his training and was doing workouts without having to be told or prompted. The problem was that Damien wanted Harry to train with him and continue teaching him.
"Where is the fun to train by yourself?" Damien asked fixing his brother with a stern gaze.
"It's actually a lot of fun. You should try it someday." Harry replied derisively. He personally preferred to train on his own, like he did all his life.
Damien shrugged and stood up.
"I'm not a loner. I hate being by myself." He said.
Harry gave him a funny look.
"You've been an only child for thirteen years." He stated.
Damien brushed Harry's comment aside.
"I hated it. I always badgered mum about giving me a sibling. I was actually quite excited at the idea of being a big brother. But now I can see it's definitely more fun being the youngest. I think everything worked out perfectly!" he grinned.
Harry didn't say anything but motioned his 'spoilt brat' of a brother to follow him as he left the room.
As soon as Harry and Damien walked into the kitchen they saw Lily deep in conversation with Molly Weasley. Both women looked up as Harry and Damien walked inside.
"Oh, Harry dear, Damy, how are you?" Molly greeted both boys warmly.
Harry returned her greeting before instinctively looking around the kitchen for signs of the only other red haired Weasley girl.
"Ginny's outside." His mum helpfully pointed out.
Harry didn't say anything, nothing to confirm that Ginny was who he was looking for or denying that he was looking for anyone. Lily and Molly both hid their wide grins as Harry threw Lily a look before heading for the garden.
Harry walked into the bright sunshine and squinted against the glaring sun, trying to spot his girlfriend. He spotted her sitting on the cool grass, talking animatedly with two people. One was a red head and the other, a bushy haired girl.
Harry stood on the spot, watching Ginny talk to Ron and Hermione. He wondered why the two Gryffindors had even come here.
"They're my friends, remember?" Damien said, answering his brother's unspoken question.
Harry looked at Damien before returning his gaze towards Ginny. Although he had made up with Damien and Ginny, he was still furious with the other two. Especially Hermione, as he had secretly respected her and never in his life did he think she would do anything to harm him.
He walked over to the oblivious three teens as they sat on the grass, seemingly engrossed in a debate. As soon as Ron and Hermione spotted Harry and Damien walking over to them, they shot to their feet. Hermione fumbled with a load of paper work in her hands and hastily pushed them into her bag. She met Harry's eyes for only a moment before looking away. It seemed she couldn't look him in the eyes. Ron was looking quite uncomfortable under Harry's eye as well. He shifted from one foot to the other as he waited for the two Potters to reach them.
"Hey Ron! Hi Hermione!" Damien greeted them with a big smile, ignoring the obvious awkwardness in the air.
"Hey Damien." Both replied without looking at him.
Harry only greeted Ginny by wrapping an arm around her and smiling warmly at her.
"I didn't know you guys were coming over." Damien said.
Ron shot a nervous look at Harry before answering.
"We weren't planning on it. Mum had to come and see Mrs Potter and we thought it would be cool to drop by as well."
Harry remained quiet and just narrowed his eyes as Ron, making him divert his eyes.
"How are you, Harry?" Hermione asked, both bravely and nervously.
"Fine" Harry answered.
Visibly relieved at receiving an answer, Hermione pushed on.
"You're looking a lot better." she said.
"Yeah well, since I don't have anyone poisoning my drinks anymore, I'm doing pretty well." Harry replied evenly.
Hermione's face darkened with discomfort and she hastily diverted her eyes. Ron was careful not to look at Harry either but a dark blush had spread on his face nevertheless.
Ginny looked awkwardly at Harry, she didn't expect him to be nice to Ron and Hermione again. Just because he was back with her didn't mean he was going to be fine with the other two as well. But it was still rather discomfiting to be caught in the middle.
"Right…well, we…we better get going." Hermione said, her voice showing how close she was to breaking down.
"No, wait you guys!" Damien said quickly, grabbing a hold of Hermione by her arm. "At least come inside for a few minutes."
Hermione and Ron looked at Harry almost as if asking for his permission. When Harry didn't react either way, they looked at each other.
"Come inside." Damien said a little more forcefully this time.
They silently agreed and walked past Harry and Ginny, keeping their heads lowered. Damien glared at Harry as he passed, asking him wordlessly to behave nice. Harry shrugged away Damien's look and started walking behind them, holding Ginny's hand.
When they entered the kitchen they saw it was empty. Harry could hear his mum and Mrs Weasley talking in the other room. They had moved to the living room, leaving the kitchen empty for them.
Harry and Ginny sat at the table as Damien ushered Ron and Hermione into their seats before walking over to the fridge to pull out drinks for them.
"So, what were you all talking about?" Harry asked, directing his question to both Hermione and Ron. They had looked quite engrossed in discussion when he had approached them.
"We…" Ron started, eager to answer Harry's questions in the hopes of being on better terms with him.
"Nothing! It was…nothing." Hermione cut across Ron, giving him a pointed look.
"Are you keeping things from me again?" Harry asked quietly, his emerald gaze fixed on the bushy haired girl.
Hermione looked like she had swallowed a bug. She spluttered and looked at Harry.
"No, no. it's not…I…" she couldn't find the right thing to say.
Harry didn't look away from her until she gave in and with a last look at Ron, she picked up her bag and reached into it. She pulled out a load of papers, all with Hermione's neat writing on it. Harry watched in curiosity as she tidied them and placed them carefully in the middle of the table, directly in front of Harry.
No one offered any kind of explanation so Harry reached forward and pulled the notes towards him. He saw that the papers were indeed notes and they were all written in Hermione's neat handwriting. He glanced up at her as he saw what subject the notes were on.
"The Dark Prince?" he asked holding up the first page with the said title.
With a nervous look at him, Hermione stated to explain.
"I know that my presumptions don't mean anything but I can't see this impostor being anyone else but a Death Eater. After I found out what the impostor's initials were, Ron and I went through the old Daily Prophets to try and see if we could find out about the escaped Death Eaters from Azkaban. There is a section in the wizarding library that stores a copy of every Daily Prophet published. We have been going through them, starting with last year and have been working our way through them." she paused here to see if Harry said anything. At his silence she continued. "I have made two separate files, one with all the escaped Death Eaters that have the initials C.B and one with a full list of escaped Death Eaters. I figured that it may come in useful at some point."
At first no one said anything. Harry was staring at Hermione, his expression was his usual mask of indifference. It made Hermione nervous, not knowing if Harry would be mad at her or not. Finally Harry spoke.
"It seems you and Ron had quite a project to do." He remarked, keeping his face free from all expressions.
"We had to do something, mate." Ron replied, looking abashed.
Harry looked at him but didn't say anything. He looked through Hermione's paperwork and saw that she was right. There was a page listing some twenty five or so Death Eaters with the initials C.B.
Harry scanned the names, disappointed that none of them jumped out at him. None of them except the last one. Harry read the name and felt something inside him stir. Cole Bailey. He had heard that name before.
"Cole Bailey? Where have I heard that name before?" Harry asked out loud.
Damien's head snapped up at Harry's words. Harry had recognised one of the names, could they finally have a lead?
Hermione spoke up after a minute.
"You saw it in the Daily Prophet. Remember, you took the paper from me and read the names before telling me that these men were 'lousy wizards' and they weren't worth worrying about." Hermione couldn't help the note of sarcasm that crept into her voice. The irony of the situation wasn't lost on any of them.
Harry's lips quirked but he forced himself not to smile. He should have known that saying something like that was going to come back and get him. He really should stop tempting fate.
Ginny and Damien shared an amused look and fought to hide their smirks as well.
"Meh, what does Harry know?" Damien said making Ginny laugh out loud.
Harry couldn't resist the urge to laugh after that. Hermione and Ron started laughing along with Ginny and Damien. Any awkwardness between the friends was put aside.
In the living room, Lily and Molly stopped their discussion to hear the laughter ring from the kitchen. Lily gave Molly a triumphant smile.
"Mission accomplished." Both women whispered to each other.
xxx
Harry was grateful for the study Hermione and Ron had been doing. It gave him a better chance of finding the culprit. He was currently sitting looking through her paperwork. She and Ron had certainly done their homework. The list containing the twenty five Death Eaters with the initials C.B was accompanied by a short history. It gave Harry some background information on the men. Hermione had apologetically informed him that she was only able to get a small amount of history as it was extremely difficult to find any information. She had scavenged the old newspapers to get what she could.
All the information was what came from their trials so it wasn't as informative as Harry would have liked.
"What's with everyone naming their children beginning with C? Was it a Death Eater special instruction?" Damien joked as he read the parchment, listing the numerous Death Eaters, above Harry's shoulder.
Harry ignored him. He was sitting in his room and was trying to get Damien to leave him alone. As usual, it didn't work.
"Go and help mum. She needs help with dinner." Harry distractedly told him.
"I always help her. How about you doing something to help with the chores for once!" Damien said with faked annoyance.
"Cooking isn't really my thing." Harry replied without looking away from the parchment.
Damien snorted but didn't say anything else. He sat down on Harry's bed and for a few minutes he didn't say anything.
"Wasn't Draco supposed to come over today?" Damien asked, remembering that detail from today's breakfast conversation.
"Yeah, but he can't because his mum has to go over to the Ministry for some reason or another. He's stuck at the Manor with Marco." Harry replied without looking up.
"When did he tell you this?" Damien asked surprised.
"About a half hour ago. He floo called me." Harry answered him.
"His uncle seems…weird." Damien said, pulling a face.
Harry smiled
"Weird doesn't cover it. He's a little…possessive when it comes to family." Harry said thinking of the perfect description.
"Did Draco tell you why he didn't come over on your birthday?" Damien asked, already guessing the answer.
"Yep, Marco and he got into a tiff and it ended with Draco storming out of there. He wasn't really in the mood for a party so he went to the pub to get pissed instead." Harry answered.
"Oh. You've not been giving him tips on 'How to handle family quarrels' have you?" Damien asked jokingly.
"Ha Ha" Harry said dryly, still not looking away from his paperwork.
Damien was silent for a few minutes before saying what he wanted since yesterday.
"It was nice of you to give Hermione and Ron another chance." Damien said.
Harry finally put down the file in defeat and looked around at Damien. He wasn't going to be able to study with him in the same room.
"I figured they had suffered enough." Harry said, a smirk on his lips as he remembered the way both had looked at him when he spoke to them in a fairly pleasant manner. They looked like they had inherited a great fortune. "And besides, they did come to the Ministry to protest. I can forgive them since they came up with a way of making Fudge's life miserable!" Harry sniggered. He knew that the trouble really started for the Minister after the protest held for Harry's release.
Damien looked at Harry and for a moment an expression of uneasiness washed over him.
"Um, Harry. Ron and Hermione weren't the ones to come up with the idea of the protest." He said slowly.
Harry looked surprised at that.
"Oh, I just assumed it was one of Hermione's bright ideas. So who was it then?" Harry asked.
Damien shifted on the bed and looked apprehensively at him.
"Believe it or not, it was Neville."
Harry stared at Damien, unable to say anything.
"Longbottom?" he asked after a moment or two.
"How many other Nevilles do you know?" Damien asked sharply.
Harry was shocked.
"Wow, Neville Longbottom came up with a plan to help me. The world has truly turned on its head." Harry said, shaking his head a little.
Damien smirked and added.
"I think he felt bad ever since Nigel's rescue, last year. He didn't say anything to you in Hogwarts because he probably felt like a jackass for blaming you in the first place. Valentines Day didn't help matters when you had to help his family again. He owed you this."
Harry didn't say anything but agreed with him. He knew that Neville didn't help him because he cared about him. It was more the case of repaying him for saving his family so many times.
Suddenly a loud shout was heard from downstairs. Harry and Damien both jumped to their feet and had their wands drawn instantly. They could hear loud shouts coming from downstairs. The only person downstairs was Lily as James had left to meet with Sirius and Remus.
Harry motioned Damien to get behind him. The fourteen year old did what he was told but silently resented the action. He could fight now as well, maybe not as well as Harry but he was still a lot better than last year.
Both boys darted from the room and made their way downstairs. Harry held out his hand to stop Damien when they reached the foot of the stairs. As quietly as he could, he positioned himself in front of the living room door. He shared a look with Damien as they heard more shouting.
Taking a deep breath, Harry flung the door open while he and Damien pointed their wands before them, ready to take out whoever was attacking their mum. The door slammed open but the two boys didn't fire any curses. They gaped at the sight before them. James was standing with Lily in his arms and both had wide smiles plastered on their faces. A very giddy looking Sirius was standing opposite them with Remus and Tonks looking just as happy. All had turned to stare at Harry as he and Damien had them all at wand point.
Harry sighed with both relief and annoyance and stowed his wand away, glaring at the adults who were acting like five year olds. Although Damien was relieved everything was okay, he had a look of disappointment as well. He had become quite excited at the prospect of duelling alongside Harry, but he could see that there was no need for it now.
"What the hell are you lot doing?!" Harry asked, glaring at his mum and dad as they were still hugging each other and looking at him with happy grins.
"Sorry, didn't realise we were screaming that loud." Tonks apologised, looking quite embarrassed.
"What's going on?" Damien asked as he walked further into the room.
James looked at Lily and the others before turning to his two sons.
"I have the best news." He started. "Fudge is out of the office!" he said with an inane smile on his face.
The adults, except Lily, cheered loudly and burst into giggles. Lily was smiling but didn't join in the madness.
"What?" Harry asked, unable to believe it.
"Moony and Padfoot just told me. The decision hasn't been made public yet. It will probably be announced tomorrow but everyone in the Ministry has found out. He quit! He couldn't take it anymore and resigned. Everyone knows it was a forced decision, what with all the protests and everything. All his past decisions were being investigated and he couldn't deal with it. It's done! He's out!" James said the last part loudly which resulted in Remus and Sirius letting out happy howls and barks respectively.
Tonks and Lily grinned at the antics of the men but didn't say anything.
"I can't believe it! Fudge is no longer the Minister for Magic! That is awesome!" Damien agreed, joining in the fun.
Harry hadn't said anything but couldn't help the smile that fought its way across his face.
"This is the best news I've heard in a while!" Sirius said.
"I can't believe that I'm about to say this but, I think we should go out and celebrate Fudge's resignation!" Lily said earning a loud applause from Sirius and Tonks.
Harry was taking in the scene with interest. He never thought his parents would act like this. At his dad's questioning look he smirked before explaining.
"Getting happy at the Minister's resignation? Celebrating the Ministry's downfall? I'm glad to have had such a positive effect on you lot." Harry said, smirking the whole time.
James smirked as well before whispering;
"Where did you think you got your evilness from?"
Harry laughed and threw his dad an 'I'm-impressed!' look.
"Normally, I would never act like this." Lily said, jumping to defend herself. "However, seeing as this is about the man who deliberately hurt my son, I can make allowances."
Harry smiled at her words and ducked his head. He was surprised himself that her words didn't annoy him anymore. At the beginning Harry would always find Lily a little stifling but lately he found he was generally comfortable with her.
"Alright, let's go out and get some food!" Sirius said rubbing his hands together at the thought of food.
"Honestly! It's all you think about!" Tonks reprimanded as they walked towards the door.
Harry and Damien cast 'accio' to get their outdoor cloaks and headed towards the door.
Before the group could leave the room, the fireplace behind them turned green. Harry turned around, half expecting to see Draco. But it wasn't Draco. Instead it was a very sombre looking Dumbledore.
The group turned around to see the legendary wizard standing next to their fireplace. Lily was the first to greet him.
"Dumbledore! This is a nice surprise!" she said walking over to him.
"Dumbledore! You must have heard the great news!" Sirius said, walking over to him as well.
Harry noticed that the Headmaster of Hogwarts wasn't looking as happy as the rest. In fact, he looked downright miserable. Lily noticed this as well.
"Dumbledore? Is everything alright?"
Dumbledore surveyed the room, his blue eye had lost their usual twinkle. Clearing his throat he addressed the room.
"I'm sorry for coming unannounced but I had to see you to deliver very unfortunate news."
Everyone had their eyes fixed on the age old wizard. Even Harry was giving him undivided attention.
"What's the matter, Dumbledore?" James prompted.
"I had gone to meet with Severus…" Dumbledore started.
"Oh, is he back? It's about time!" Sirius interrupted him. Lily threw him a glare. It was such a rude thing to interrupt. Sirius didn't seem to notice this. "Where had he gone? The Human Bats convention." He sniggered.
Dumbledore seemed to grow even more solemn.
"Albus?" Lily said in concern, taking another step towards him.
"Severus is dead." Dumbledore stated.
The words rang in the room, making everyone inhale deeply in shock. Harry found himself shocked at the news as well. He wasn't expecting that at all. He looked over at his mum to see her hands covering her mouth, her eyes fixed on the Headmaster. His dad and Sirius looked like they had been slapped. Both were staring at Dumbledore in obvious shock. They didn't quite know how to react. Damien was standing next to him, looking quite stunned at the news of the most hated professor's death.
"What happened?" Remus asked, being the first one to recover.
"I went to see him as he had failed to meet with me as our prior agreement. I found him at his home." Dumbledore's words faltered here and he had to take a moment to compose himself. "It appears that he died some time last year, an estimation would be November or December. At this point, we can't be certain. He doesn't…didn't have any family so no one was alerted of his disappearance." It was evident that these words were costing the Headmaster a lot.
"Oh, Dumbledore. I'm so sorry." Lily gushed, tears appearing in her eyes.
Harry could tell there was more to come. Dumbledore's expression said it all.
"What happened to him?" James asked, his voice hollow and quiet even to his own ears.
Dumbledore's expression hardened, a look of fierce anger appeared in his usual gentle eyes.
"He was murdered." Again another sharp inhale of breath was heard around the room. Dumbledore continued, "I think it is safe to assume the murderer is the same impostor we've been looking for."
"How can you be so sure?" Tonks asked.
"The word 'Traitor' was carved into his chest." Dumbledore answered, again with difficulty.
Sirius swore under his breath and Damien looked like he could collapse, such a horrid thing to happen to someone.
Dumbledore was still talking, explaining why he thought the Dark Prince impostor and Snape's murderer were the same person. Everyone was listening closely, everyone except Harry. He suddenly had an awful thought. Snape murdered over eight months ago, the word 'Traitor' carved on his chest, traitor because he had betrayed Voldemort by bringing the Aurors to Riddle Manor. 'What if…'
Suddenly Harry turned around and bolted towards the door, his panic making him stumble.
"Harry! Wait! Where are you going?!" James yelled behind him.
Harry stopped next to the door. The panic blooming inside him was making it difficult to talk.
"Snape wasn't the only one who betrayed Voldemort that night." Harry said.
For a moment James didn't understand him. Then realisation washed over him, making him snap back to look at Sirius and Dumbledore.
"Malfoy" he whispered.
He saw the sudden panic in Sirius' eyes as well. Draco Malfoy was just as responsible for tricking Voldemort as Snape was. James looked over at Harry.
"Harry, wait!" he called but Harry had already disapparated.
Harry couldn't have waited to explain everything. He had to get to Black Manor. Narcissa's sudden and abrupt call from the Ministry was very suspicious. As far as Harry knew, this was the first time Draco was alone in the Manor with only Marco there to protect him. Their relationship was volatile at the best of times. If Draco walked out of that Manor like he had on the day of Harry's birthday, then who knew what was waiting for him outside.
xxx
Twenty minutes previous
Draco sighed as he threw aside the book he had been attempting to read. He couldn't focus on it. He was bored out of his mind. He muttered a few choice words to himself for his uncle Marco. Why did he make a big deal about him wanting to go over to Harry's house? What possible problem could he have for Draco to go over and see Harry? He had just floo called Harry ten minutes ago to tell him he couldn't hang with him today. He figured he shouldn't anger his uncle while his mum was out. She had made him promise to be more receptive to him. Ever since last week when he had stormed out of the Manor after arguing with him.
Draco got up and stretched, trying to shake the lethargic feeling out of himself. He wondered for the fifth time why his mum was called to the Ministry. He hoped it had something to do with the Malfoy Manor issue. He really wanted to go home, he had enough of staying at the Black Manor.
Draco walked out of his luxuriously sized room and walked over towards the kitchen. He was hungry, maybe he could get something to eat. He passed his uncle's room and stopped outside it. He figured he should ask him if he wanted any food as well. It might put him in a better mood. That way when he sneaked off to Potter Manor later, his uncle wouldn't be that mad at him.
Draco knocked on the wooden doors and waited for his uncle's curt 'come in!' but nothing happened. With a frown, Draco knocked again, a little louder this time.
When nothing happened, Draco started getting worried.
"Uncle Marco? Are you in there?" he called.
Still no response.
"Uncle Marco!" Draco yelled, pounding a heavy fist at the door.
He was confused as to why his uncle wasn't answering. He turned the handle and was surprised to find it unlocked. Draco walked into the room and saw that his uncle was sitting in his favourite chair, next to the fireplace. His back was turned to him.
"Uncle Marco? Didn't you hear me knocking? I wanted to ask if you would like something to eat."
No answer.
By this time, Draco was starting to get really annoyed.
"A bit childish don't you think? Not speaking to me. I thought you had more manners than that!" Draco said, wanting to get a rise out of him.
When there was still no response Draco lost it completely.
"Oh, for Merlin's sake! This is stupid!" he raced over towards his uncle, wanting to see him eye to eye. Draco strode towards him and stood before him before he fully took in the sight before him.
Sitting in the chair, eyes still open, was the dead body of his uncle. His throat had been slit from ear to ear. His expensive robes were covered in blood and the look of pain was still present in his eyes.
"Uncle Marco!" Draco cried out in horror at the sight.
He stumbled a few steps away from the dead body and willed himself not to throw up. His knees shook and he ended up falling to the ground. He couldn't look away from the grotesque sight.
His initial reaction was punctured when the lights in the Manor flickered before going out altogether. Draco panicked. His hand shot into his pocket and he pulled out his wand. Gripping it tightly in his hand, Draco stood up. He forced himself not to look at the corpse of his uncle.
"L-lumos!" he uttered and a small light flickered on at the end of his wand.
His hands were shaking badly. He had never had to deal with something like this. He neared the fireplace and stepped into it, his wand outstretched.
"Potter Manor!" he hissed throwing a handful of floo powder.
Nothing happened.
Draco threw in another handful and repeated himself, a little louder this time. Again nothing happened.
'Shit! The floo is locked!' Draco said to himself. He had just spoken to Harry a mere fifteen minutes ago. The floo was fine then. It must be blocked by the attacker.
Gathering all his nerves, Draco Malfoy stepped out of the fireplace and walked towards the door. If he could get outside he could apparate. The wards inside the house wouldn't let him apparate so he had to get outside.
Just as Draco stepped outside the door he felt a force knock into him, throwing his wand from his grip and forcing the air out from his lungs. Draco landed flat out on his back.
He quickly scrambled to his feet, cursing the darkness. He couldn't see anything as his wand had extinguished when it hit the floor. Through the darkness, he came for him. Draco was caught off guard as a force hit him straight in the chest. He landed on the ground again. His yell of surprise caught in his throat.
He stumbled to his feet and saw something before him, a shadow, the attacker. Draco knew he couldn't find his wand in this darkness. He could feel the sharp sting of the cutting hex on his chest. His robes were staring to stick to him and he knew he was bleeding. Casting that thought aside, he focused on getting out. He was at a loss as to how to defend himself. His time to figure it out was cut short as the attacker made another move. A whispered incantation and the lights flickered on, momentarily blinding the Slytherin.
Draco blinked a few times to adjust his eyesight and gasped at the sight. Before him stood the man clad in dark battle robes and a silver mask covering his face.
"You!" was all Draco could get out.
The Dark Prince impostor suddenly lunged at Draco but this time he was ready. Draco kicked out and managed to kick him in the stomach. With a grunt the man backed off and Draco took his chance to run. He aimed to run downstairs but had to change his direction when a spell just missed him. He dived to his left to save himself from the spell and went crashing into his mum's room. The door slammed open against his weight and Draco was sprawled on the ground.
He quickly got to his feet, looking around for something to use as a weapon. Before he could grab onto anything, a spell hit him square in the middle of his shoulder blades and pain erupted like fire down his back. The spell propelled Draco to fall onto his stomach.
He tried to get up but it felt like his blood had been turned to ice. He could hardly move. He could hardly speak. All he could feel was the pain in his back. All he managed to do was turn painfully onto his back. He looked up to see the masked figure towering above him.
Draco watched in numbed fear as the figure squatted down next to him, his silent form taking in Draco's injuries. The blond boy could feel the trickle of blood run down his temple. He had hit his head hard against the door when he jumped out of the pathway of that spell. He felt almost paralysed; his body was aching as a result of the spell he was hit with. He struggled to keep his eyes open and tried desperately to think of a way to escape.
A spell hit Draco and this time he cried out as he felt the bone in his wand holding arm snap. The impostor had used a bone breaking curse on him. His panicked mind exploded with fear when he saw the figure put away his wand and take out a knife. He held it in his hand allowing Draco to stare at it.
"Please, don't do this!" Draco managed to utter through the waves of pain.
The figure suddenly stopped and his emerald gaze was fixed on the injured boy. His gloved hand reached out and he gently ran a hand, almost lovingly, down Draco's face.
Draco was taken aback by this strange action. He looked into the eyes of the masked man and even though they reflected his best friend's eyes, he knew it wasn't Harry. He had known that as soon as he saw him in the hallway.
The man pulled his hand away and looked at Draco before slowly lifting the knife. Maybe it was the realisation of how close death was that made Draco react, but he felt the effects of the spell lessen to the extent that he could feel his legs again. His fear of death broke through whatever spell was pinning him down and he reacted instinctively.
Draco pushed all the strength he had into his legs. Taking the impostor by surprise, Draco swung his foot around and kicked him, straight in the head. The man fell to his front and Draco took the chance to struggle to his feet. His broken arm held tightly to his chest. He pushed all the energy he had into carrying his weight and he willed himself towards the door. He had to get out of here of he was going to survive.
xxx
Harry's feet hit the ground of Black Manor and he instantly started calling out to his friend.
"Draco! Draco!" Harry yelled in panic as he ran towards the main staircase.
He was just approaching them when he saw a door open on the first level. Harry felt immediate relief flood him as he saw his blond haired friend appear in the doorway. At first glance Harry didn't see the blood or look of pain on his face. All he saw was that Draco was on his feet and was okay.
Harry moved towards him but stopped suddenly when he saw Draco's condition. The look of pain on his face, his eyes clouded and pained, the way he was walking, the way he leaned heavily in the doorframe, his arm clutched tightly to his chest, the blood staining the front of his robes.
"Draco!" Harry started in surprise.
Draco looked up and spotted Harry. His pained expression broke into a look of relief. He staggered towards Harry, coming completely out of the room.
"H-Harry!" he stammered, his voice laced with pain. He stumbled and fell to his knees, his body arching to reveal his back.
Harry felt the ground slip from under his feet when he saw the knife sticking out of his back. He watched in horror as his best friend fell to ground, unable to keep himself going. Harry shot up the stairs, taking two, even three steps at a time. He was at Draco's side in a matter of seconds.
"Draco! Draco, can you hear me?" Harry asked as he saw his friend's eyes were shut.
Draco groaned to let him know he was still conscious.
Harry eyed the knife but made no move to take it out. He knew that could cause worse damage.
"H-Harry, help me! Don't, don't let me die!" Draco whispered in between gasps of pain.
"You're not going to die! I'm not going to let you die! You're going to be fine." Harry said forcefully. "You're going to be fine!" he said it over and over again but he could see that Draco was having problems breathing and his eyes had rolled to the back of his head.
Harry took off his outdoor cloak and wrapped it around Draco before taking the boy into his arms with difficulty.
Draco was unconscious by the time Harry struggled with him outside. Harry could apparate inside the Manor but the wards wouldn't let Draco past them. So that meant Harry had to carry him outside before apparating. As soon as Harry was out the main door he apparated to St Mungos with a dying Draco in his arms.
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Hides behind chair okay, I know that you all are probably mad at me for what happened to Draco but remember, I'm evil! Muhahahaha!
Please review, it will make me update faster! Cheers!!