A/N: The story is drawing to a close, I must admit. Only one more chapter to go. And I have failed, once again, to respond to any of my reviews. I apologize, like I do every week. I will make an effort to correct this. I might even succeed.
Chapter 15: Victory
Draco let himself soak in the hot water for as long as he dared. It was wonderful to relax and not have any cares. All was right with the world. In a few hours, everyone who was petrified would be restored. Even Filch's cat. There would be a celebration. One of the teachers had made the comment once they understood what happened.
"I do hope you're clean after all this time," Professor Snape commented as he opened the door. He gave a mock glare as he set a pile of clothes on the table where the towels were. "You have fifteen minutes."
Draco raised himself from the tub, all clean and wrinkly, and grabbed one of the towels. As he dried himself, he noticed the clothes that had been set out for him. They were his school clothes. It was with a sense of pride and a fair bit of smugness that he dressed, making a point to put his school tie in his pocket. He was combing his hair when Professor Snape returned for him.
They passed almost no one on the way to the Headmaster's office. Only Filch mopping the last of Draco's dirty footprints from the stone floors. Professor Snape explained that most of the students were already back in their dorms for the night. When he asked why, he found out it had already gone nine.
"How long was I in the bath?"
"Only an hour and a half."
"But it was, what, not even Two when Moody showed up."
"Closer to Five," Snape pointed out.
"Cor."
Draco was happy that no one would ask him what he was doing in the girl's bathroom all that time.
They reached the gargoyle that led to Dumbledore's office, and Snape gave the password: Lemon Drops. The gargoyle stepped to let them pass. They made their way into the office and Draco stopped. A sense of dread filled him as he saw who was there. That Black and Shacklebolt would be present was of no surprise. Neither was Dumbledore's presence. It was his office. But off to one side stood Ginny Weasley, her parents standing behind her. The twins stood on her right. Ron and Percy on her left. And none of them were smiling.
Draco's pride faltered. He was forced in a position that he did not want to be in. After what he had accomplished, everyone would have a new opinion of him. And that opinion would go back to what it was because of what he was about to say. He walked up to them, his head bowed.
"I'm sorry. It was all my fault." He gritted his teeth as he said the words that would bring his doom. "I'm the one who gave Ginny the diary."
"Oh," Mister Weasley replied. He said it as if Draco had mentioned that it was starting to rain. "And you knew what the diary was when you gave it to my daughter?" He still had the same calm tone.
"Well . . . no."
"Oh." The same mild tone. "Did you know what it was when you destroyed it?"
"Um, yeah."
"There it is, then." Mister Weasley smiled. "It seems to me you made a mistake, and set it to right when you discovered it. I can't fault you for that." He smiled. "I will have a few words to say to your Godmother, however. You told Ginny that she gave you the diary."
"Sir . . ." Draco remembered what Arthur Weasley thought of Bellatrix Black. "Truth is, she asked me if I wanted it. I took it because she said she would only throw it away. I don't think she knew what it was, either."
The smiled faded. "And I suppose you will want to defend her sister as well."
Draco had to grin. "You mean the bitch who sent her house elf after me and Hermione at the Quidditch match? I'd wager anything she laughed when she found out what happened."
Arthur Weasley's smile was back. They both knew they had at least one thing in common.
"I appreciate you telling me all of this, Mister Malfoy. Not that Ginny won't be punished any less for it."
"I always told her," Missus Weasley noted, "never to trust anything if you can't see where it keeps its brain."
"Draco." It was Professor Dumbledore. "Miss Weasley had already explained how she came by the diary. No one here was faulting you for your part in it."
"Then I didn't have to apologize?"
"Think of it as practice," someone said.
"In case you really have to, someday," someone's twin brother added.
Draco cast a glance at the potions professor and frowned when he saw the man discreetly holding his hand over his mouth. Even he thought the remark funny.
Dumbledore was smiling at him with an understanding look. "If you don't mind, could you tell us what happened in the Chamber? All of us are curious as to the particular turn of events. Sirius and Kingsley have already told us that they managed to sneak you into the school, although they were vague about the particulars. I won't bother to ask you because I know of your forgetful nature."
Draco smiled at the joke, and at the thought of relating his success. But he also omitted telling a few things. Particularly what happened while waiting for Alastor Moody to show up. He mentioned, hesitantly, that he was a parselmouth. He was waiting for a reaction similar to Sirius Black's when he had found out. Instead, Molly Weasley gave a light laugh and said, "It's a lucky thing for us." Mister Weasley then revealed that they had already been told, and had time to adjust to the news.
And so, Draco went into his tale. Traveling down the pipe and through the tunnel. Moaning Myrtle peeking into the Chamber. Walking into the Chamber itself. Everyone laughed when he told them about the anagram of Voldemort's name, and how Moody had said it. They became quiet after that when he told them about the encounter with the basilisk and how Moody let himself be petrified. Lastly, he told them of the final confrontation and his collapsing in pain.
"I apologize, Sir," he told Dumbledore, "for being familiar with you."
"There is no need," Dumbledore replied easily. "The relief from such pain would have made anyone giddy."
"More practice," George said.
"He's getting good at this," Fred added.
"Mister Malfoy," Dumbledore said. "I should inform you, officially, that you have not yet been reinstated. As a result of new information that has surfaced, information which absolves you of any and all wrongdoing, it should only be a matter of a day or two. When that happens, I will return your wand. Until then, your presence at the school will be required . . ." He paused as though trying to think of a reason. ". . . in case there is a need to ask you any more questions."
For Draco, this was another accomplishment. His name would be cleared and his reputation set to rights. The grin was back. It faded at once.
"Headmaster," Professor McGonagall said as she opened the door to his office, "They've arrived."
Narcissa Nott entered, her two sons and her house elf in tow. Narcissa was followed by Bellatrix Black and her human house elf, Casper. Narcissa smiled kindly at everyone. Even Draco. And she apologized.
"I should have been here, sooner, Albus. I did apparate to Hogsmeade at once, but," she put a loving hand on Theodore's shoulder, "I decided I should check on my children's welfare, first." She made a gesture toward Draco with her free hand. "Is it true that he now qualifies as a hero?"
Draco missed out on Dumbledore's reply because he was grabbed from one side and spun around. His godmother was there, kneeling down to be at eye level. Casper was standing as close to her as he could. She wanted to know: Did he kill a monster? Casper didn't even wait for an answer. He wanted to know what kind of monster. Both were clearly surprised when he told them. Bellatrix asked how, and Draco pulled out his mirrored sunglasses.
That was when Bellatrix Black did the one thing Draco never expected. She grabbed Draco and hugged him. "You are brilliant in your simplicity, young man."
"You know what happened?"
"Generally speaking. You snuck back into the school, found the Chamber of Secrets, destroyed the monster, then destroyed the diary I gave you when you found out it was cursed."
"Yeah," Draco said casually. "I did all that." It was worth it to see Casper's eyes bulge.
"The diary was cursed?" Casper asked. "Thanks to Merlin, Mother said I didn't need one." Then followed a question with underlying eagerness. "Do you know who cursed it?"
"Voldemort," Draco said with authority.
"NEVER," Narcissa Nott yelled at this point, bringing everyone into the main conversation. Bellatrix guessed, with amusement, that her sister had been informed of the same thing. As they listened to Narcissa insist that she had no knowledge of the nature of the diary, Bellatrix asked Draco how he knew. He related again how Moody knew Tom Riddle and that Voldemort's name was an anagram. As Arthur Weasley accused Narcissa Nott of deliberately planting the diary, Draco was telling his godmother what Moody's version of the anagram was. Thus, as Narcissa insisted that she be treated with respect, her sister started laughing.
Two men, James Potter and Frank Longbottom, entered the office at that time. Draco heard Potter say, "I think we came at a good time."
"It pays to plan ahead," Bellatrix whispered to Draco as she stood up. "Dwelling on that diary is the wrong way to go about things, Cissy. We can keep yelling 'No, I didn't, Yes, you did', all night long. You are forgetting something." She nodded her head to indicate the sullen house elf. "You have the proof of your good intentions."
"Proof?" Arthur Weasley asked with a sneer.
"We definitely came at a good time," Longbottom said to Potter.
"Yes, Arthur," Bellatrix answered. "Proof. Although lack of humility forces me to admit it was my idea. Cissy, you couldn't have forgotten why I told you to bring your house elf. Have him explain what he did, as far as Draco is concerned. He did do those things because YOU ordered him to."
Narcissa looked at Dobby as though she had not known he was there, but there was now a glint in her eye. "Dobby, tell everyone what your mistress ordered you to do."
Dobby smiled and gave a quick glance in Draco's direction before turning toward Dumbledore and the Weasleys. "Dobby was ordered to keep a watch on Draco Malfoy and to keep him safe."
"And what did you do?" Narcissa and Bellatrix were exchanging grins. Draco looked like they were happy their plan worked.
"Dobby rescued Draco Malfoy from that school where he was locked up and took him to Alastor Moody."
"May I ask why?" Dumbledore was being extremely polite.
Narcissa told Dobby to answer. Dobby explained that Draco had specified someone crazy and useless. "And Mistress said . . ."
"We don't need to know what I said," Narcissa said hastily, then added, "I was repeating what I had heard the minister himself say."
Dobby also pointed out that he had made the doctor give Draco too much of the drug so it would not have the desired effect. Draco resisted the urge to shout at the elf for almost killing him. Dobby then told of letting Draco listen in on the conversation between Black and Pettigrew. And when the house elf explained that he had told Draco about the curse on his broom, and cast the cushioning charm when Draco forgot what he was told, the entire room erupted in laughter. If it were possible, one blond haired boy would have strangled one helpful house elf. Lastly, Dobby pointed out that he had cast the spell blocking the entrance to Platform Nine 3/4 so that Draco would not be given with the diary.
"But I already had the diary," Draco pointed out.
"Dobby will punish himself at once."
"Wait." It was Theodore Nott. "Dobby, you knew what the diary was?"
"Yes, Master Theodore. Dobby could sense the evil in the diary."
"And why didn't you tell anyone?"
"No one asked Dobby, Master Theodore."
Draco counted seven adults putting their hands to their foreheads.
"Before anyone makes a comment," Narcissa Nott said evenly, "first explain to me how I was supposed to know to ask my house elf if an old book was cursed."
"A valid point, Narcissa," Dumbledore admitted, "and we must give you the benefit of the doubt, as long as there are no more incidents." He added in a dismissive tone, "Thank you for your time."
Satisfied, the woman turned to her house elf. "Dobby, do you like Draco Malfoy?"
"Y-Yes, Mistress."
"Then your punishment is that you are to have no more contact with him so long as you are my servant, without my specific permission."
The look on Dobby's face told Draco that the elf considered it to be a punishment. Dobby then disappeared when his mistress ordered him to go back to her manor. Narcissa Nott was smiling again as she spoke.
"I think that settles all of the business I have with anyone here." She was smiling when she said, "Goodbye, Draco."
"You're not mad at me?" He curled his lip.
Narcissa gave a sarcastic laugh. "Why should I be mad at you, dear boy? Or are you thinking of my reaction when I first saw you in Diagon Alley? I assure you that was because of your resemblance to your father. Your father DID wrong me." She sighed. "And I've already had the best revenge against him that I could possibly want. And the wonderful part about it is that he'll never know what it is."
Bellatrix Black left with her sister and family, commenting that all of this was the fault of marrying that horrible old man. Narcissa assured her that the marriage was worthwhile, casting a glance back at Draco while she said it. James Potter politely held the door open for them, closing it firmly after they left.
"Did she forget about you?" Draco asked.
"She does that all the time," Casper answered. "Mother assumes I'll automatically follow her." He smiled. "I'm amazed at how much I can get away with."
Potter and Longbottom walked up to Dumbledore and assured him that everything was now secure. Longbottom also noted that the restorative potion was ready. He added that he had a reply from the Minister and that Rubeus Hagrid has been released and is being returned to Hogwarts. He would hopefully be back before morning.
Draco, now standing to one side with Casper, was feeling giddy again. After all this time, he would be together with his friends. All of them. They would break the rules and all eat together whenever they wanted.
Dumbledore was assuring the Weasleys that he would do everything he could. Arthur Weasley told him he had already done a great deal and they should be going. The headmaster suggested they stay for the feast, preparations were already being made. They, too, made to leave, stopping as they passed Draco.
"Thank you," Molly Weasley insisted on saying. Draco took a half step backward and said, "You're welcome." He had the distinct feeling that she wanted to hug him. He didn't mind one hug when everyone else was distracted, but not another one while everyone was watching. Molly noticed his reaction and stopped herself, barely, from stepping forward. "I'll embarrass you later, dear."
"Very brave thing you did," Arthur Weasley told him.
"He is in Gryffindor," Percy the Prefect noted with pride.
Ginny gave him a shy smile. Ron playfully punched his shoulder, telling him, "Good job, Mate." Fred and George told him to hurry up. They wanted to hear all about what happened . . . in the girl's bathroom. "He was in there for eight hours with Moaning Myrtle," Fred explained to his mother as they exited the office.
Draco's look at Casper told the younger boy not to say anything but it did not remove the smirk.
"Sir," Draco dared to ask. The group of remaining adults looked at him, although none of them were smiling. "I was curious. How are they involved?"
"Ah," Dumbledore said softly, "I do not think it appropriate to say more than that they are peripherally involved."
Draco nodded. He would ask Hermione what peripherally meant. "You don't want Cas to hear?"
"No, I don't want Casper's mother to accuse me of kidnaping him. And," this time his look took in the teachers and the Aurors in his office, "there is something else of importance that I do need to discuss. Something that is not for his ears or yours. If I could ask you to escort Master Black to the entrance. You are sure to meet his mother on the way."
"Sir." Draco waited for the headmaster to nod his head. "I understand there is going to be a celebration feast?"
"At midnight, which is," Dumbledore looked at his pocket watch, "little more than an hour away."
"Could I ask them to stay?" He knew the answer everyone wanted to give. "They're my family, after a turn. And I am the hero of the hour."
"A wonderful suggestion," Dumbledore said without sarcasm. By way of apology, he added, "I should have thought to do that, myself."
"C'mon, Cas," Draco said cheerfully. "Let's see if I can make you sick again."
"I hope so," Casper replied in kind as he followed Draco from the office.
"A lot of people are here," Draco noted as the two boys made their way through Hogwarts' halls.
Casper smiled. "We were visiting Aunt Cissy when we heard about the kidnaping. Uncle is on the board of governors, you know. Even now they're having a big meeting. He was upset that they asked Dumbledore to come back. Uncle doesn't like him. But then we heard they found the Chamber and rescued the Weasley girl. That's when Aunt Cissy was asked, told really, to come here." He added, in surprise, "We never even knew about the diary, you know, being cursed and all."
Casper's look said he hoped Draco would agree. Draco responded with an ironic smile.
"You're right about that, Cas. None of us knew."
"Draco? Do you think Will would like to be in Slytherin?"
"Thought the two of you decided on Hufflepuff."
"Yeah . . ." There was doubt in Casper's voice. "But Slytherin IS a better house. And I thought that since Professor Snape is in charge and . . . you know . . . you could ask Will."
Draco stopped and looked at the younger boy. "Casper, if you don't want to go through with your plan, just tell Will you had a change of heart."
"But . . ." the words came out in a rush, "He'll think I caved in to mother, again."
Draco almost laughed. That one line told him how the friendship between the two had been going. He didn't need to know any of the details. But Casper was worried.
And why should I care, Draco thought. His mother made it obvious that she and her sister knew the purpose of the meeting and had arranged things so that they appeared innocent. Which meant nothing by itself. They could as easily be innocent as guilty. But that didn't make Draco responsible.
"Draco?"
"I'll take care of it," he said absently. "Don't say anything though. We can take care of the smaller details on the first of September. On the train."
"Thanks, really, Draco. I'll tell Mother it's taken care of, then?"
"Sure. It's not a problem." Draco gave the younger boy his best smile. He would wait three more months before he let Casper know he wasn't going to do a damn thing about it.
As they reached the staircase which led down to the Great Hall, Bellatrix Black was walking up. With her was Simon Nott, the older Slytherin. Casper immediately broke into a nervous smile and blurted, "They noticed me at once and refused to say anything."
"You're not a spy, Casper, and I know you wanted to talk to Draco. You must really learn when to make excuses."
"Think of it as practice," Draco told Casper. He then turned to Bellatrix. "Aunt Bella, Professor Dumbledore said I could ask if you would like to stay a bit. There's going to be a celebration."
Bellatrix pondered the thought. One eye was on Draco, the other on her son who was staring at her with an unbridled plea on his face. "I'll let Cissy decide. She's taking Theodore back to Slytherin House. Come. Casper. You can see where you'll be staying next year."
"Aunt," Simon said quickly. "There is a problem. Draco is not permitted to be alone in the halls. He has an 'active' enemy' within Hogwarts."
"Such a likable boy? I find that hard to believe."
"Someone needs to stay with him."
Bellatrix paused, then shrugged her shoulders. "If you don't mind then, I can find my way. I assume Slytherin is still in the same place. And I will need the password."
Simon leaned over and whispered in her ear. Bellatrix nodded and led Casper away, leaving the two students at the top of the stairs.
They spent the first minute staring at each other, until Simon thought of something to say.
"I've already heard most of what happened. Congratulations are in order."
Draco was wary. "You heard? How?"
"The ghost, Moaning Myrtle. Apparently she made the rounds to all the bathrooms letting everyone know what happened. I told mother and Aunt Bella everything I heard."
"Then the entire school knows."
"I wouldn't be surprised. A warning, though. She also mentioned how you opened the Chamber. Everyone also knows you're a parselmouth. Being Slytherin, I have no problem with it, but for other houses . . . well, You Know Who is also a parselmouth. That may make others question your reasons for what you did."
Draco swallowed hard at the thought. Those who disliked him would be telling others that the future Dark Lord gave the present Dark Lord another setback. Put that way, some might even prefer to deal with Voldemort than deal with him. Simon noticed and seemed to understand his look.
"Our family will stand by you, of course. And I imagine the Weasleys will as well. That gives you support from opposite ends of the playing field. It will make some people hesitant to believe the rumours." Footfalls were heard from a staircase to the upper floor. "Someone's coming."
Draco paused at the remark. Simon smiled. "If they're suitable to you, I'll leave you in their care. I've enough time to get back to Mother before the feast begins, you understand."
Both Draco and Simon looked in mild surprise at the boy who came into view. William Potter. Draco shook his head. "I think you need to leave him in my care."
Simon laughed politely as he waved for the other boy to come over. "I'm off, then. And Draco, I don't think we'll have a chance before the end of the school year, but I think we should make it a point to know each other better. If we can't get together over the holiday, then definitely when we return next term."
"I'd like that," Draco admitted. They shook hands and Simon left to return to his house.
Draco turned to William, who had politely stopped and waited, his head down.
"You missed Cas by about ten minutes?"
"I don't care." He looked up. "You're not going to make me go back?"
"Back where?"
"Mum's up in Gryffindor, doting on her little Harry again."
"And where were you off to?"
William shuffled his feet. "Nowhere. I put on a big smile and asked if I could go down early to the Great Hall." He shrugged. "Thought I'd walk around outside awhile. Until things got started. Half thinking of just running away. Nowhere to go, though."
Draco walked down the stairs with him. "I talked to Cas. He told me that your friendship isn't going too well."
William snorted. "He's almost a house elf, the way he acts. You remember how we agreed to go to Hufflepuff. He's done everything short of asking me to go to Slytherin instead."
This time Draco snorted. "I know. He asked me to do that. He knew I'd convince you."
"And you said you'd do it?"
Draco nodded. "It was easier than listening to him whine if I said no." William smiled for the first time. Draco added, "I'm going to let him know the truth when we take the train to school next year."
They were by the great doors that led outside when William sighed. "Thanks. For telling me about Casper. I even feel better."
"I'm glad I could help."
"And," his smile faltered, "I wanted to say I'm sorry."
"For what?"
William looked surprised. "About Alastor Moody."
Draco frowned. "What about Moody?"
William's look turned to horror. His voice was rushed. "I . . . I thought you knew?" He pushed open the door and bolted outside as quickly as possible. As the door slowly swung closed, Draco heard a sob come from the other boy.
"I thought you knew."
The words hung in the air. What did William think he knew? What was it about Alastor Moody? A feeling of dread rose inside Draco even though he knew it was unfounded. He knew there was nothing wrong. Moody always planned everything out, made sure of every detail. He would even verify the smallest detail despite no one being in doubt. But . . .
Draco was running even before he thought about it. To the infirmary. As the first students were arriving at the Great Hall, he was going in the other direction as quickly as he could. The dread, the doubt, was growing stronger. Every bit of memory seemed to increase it. McGonagall insisting he leave the chamber. Dumbledore's smile fading as he looked past him. Dozens of other details. The way Snape looked at him in the prefects bathroom. Arthur Weasley's calm smile. All meaningless yet fraught now with omens.
The infirmary was locked. He banged on the door, loudly and continuously until someone answered. Madam Pomfrey stood there. Hermione was just behind, but Draco ignored her.
"I want to see Moody."
Tears were forming in his eyes but he held them back. The sadness that came over Madam Pomfrey told him the one thing he didn't want to believe. Slowly, the words came from her lips.
"We placed him in a nearby room. I'll take you there."
Pomfrey said something to Hermione that Draco did not hear. Her smile gone, Hermione turned and went back inside. And Draco walked with the woman who held his shoulder in a gentle but firm grasp. They came to a familiar room. The door was opened. Draco walked in, alone.
Moody was lying there on a bed, a look of unexpected shock on his face. Someone had closed his normal eye. The magical eye stared at the ceiling; no intelligence remained to direct it. The hand that Draco grabbed had already gone cold. He let go. Sinking to his knees, his hands now covering his face, he tried to cry but the tears so willing before had gone. Something clutched at his chest. His own hand? Compulsively, he gasped, taking in a great amount of air. His head bent backward and he let out a mournful howl that echoed through the open door and the corridor outside. Finally, the tears came. Draco knelt there wishing, not for death, but for oblivion. It would have been better never to be than to live this moment.