Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Series (1997-2007) and any characters and original locations within the books belong to JK Rowling. I own my original characters and my plot twists. I am not trying to pass any of these characters or copyrighted ideas off as my own and therefore it isn't plagiarism or copyright infringement.
Chapter Six – The Dragon of Gringotts
Draco watched in horror through his brother's frozen eyes, as he watched Hermione tortured by their crazy aunt. Couldn't he do something to stop it? Where was Leo's Gryffindor bravery? Why wasn't he stepping in to help the brains of the Golden Trio? How could he just stand by and watch something as horrible as that? Even as Draco flew across the English Channel in his Dragon form, he cringed from the violence his horrible aunt was inflicting on the girl who slapped him in their third year. Looking back on that scene, Draco knew that he deserved the slap for the way he ran away with his mouth. He really was a right git back then, and hopefully, everyone would see how much he changed after the war was finally over. He landed close to a deserted beach in the still shallow waters. He quickly changed back and walked upon the shore as a man. He quickly pulled out his wand and performed the necessary drying charms, which left him impeccable before apparating to Diagon Alley. He took a deep breath before he walked into the Death Eater Controlled bank under his twin brother alias of Leo Rosier.
He approached the old goblin behind the desk that looked him up and down and questioned, "Draco Malfoy?"
Draco bowed his head before looking back up at the goblin hoping he could impersonate his brother well enough. He knew that the Dark Lord had just been called to the manor and the others had properly escaped. The fury that boomed through his connection to his brother almost threw him off. "I'm sorry, but you're quite mistaken. Many seem to do that. I'm Leo Rosier, and I have the sad misfortune to resemble the young Malfoy heir."
The goblin's eyes narrowed, "And what brings you to Gringotts today, Mr. Rosier?"
"Well, I do believe good sir that a wizard goes to the bank to visit his vault, am I mistaken?" Draco questioned furrowing his brow in mock confusion.
"Ah yes, I haven't seen you here before, so I had no knowledge of you having a vault within Gringotts," Draco felt a cold shiver run up his spine as a couple of the Death Eater guards began to approach. He had to think quickly and try to remember Leo's vault number. Quick Leo, what's your vault number?
913 remember, it's just one more than yours. Leo's voice sounded far tired that it should've.
The Goblin looked at him with his dark eyes, "Vault number?"
"913, now could you please take me to my bloody vault?" Draco's temper was slipping.
"Well, it looks like you have other security measures on your vault besides a key. Hmm, I guess there's a security question listed here for identification purposes. Shall I ask you now?"
Draco pulled a face, "Are you incompetent or what? Why would you ask me my security question in a room filled with witches and wizards who may be listening? Isn't the point of the question to verify I am who I say I am? If I just answer that here than anyone present would be able to impersonate me, now wouldn't they?" Do you remember the security question, Leo?
"Okay then, follow me Mr. Rosier," the goblin stepped down from his podium and Draco followed him into a small room. "Now that no one can hear you, please answer the security question or you shall not access your vault. What is black white and read all over?"
Leo chuckled. It's a Muggle riddle I thought would be a good security question. The Muggle answer is Newspaper, however since we're Wizards I chose The Daily Prophet as the answer.
"The Daily Prophet," Draco answered with his crossed arms.
"That is a peculiar security question. I guess it's difficult to guess," The goblin remarked as they walked out of the small room.
He shrugged, "I'm a half-blood, so I guess I know more about Muggle things than a pure-blood would."
The goblin looked him over for a moment as if there was something he wanted to say but decided against it, "Ragnok shall take you to your vault."
A shorter goblin with combed over white hair and a handful of wrinkles on his almost smooth peach colored skin approached and grunted, "Follow me Mr. Rosier."
Draco stepped into the all too familiar cart with Ragnok in the front. He was quite familiar with the ride on the cart as the two lights in the front shined as the fast moving cart moved along the track. Soon the speed slowed and the cart stopped. He stared at the vault he'd never visited before and wondered what he twin kept in it other than gold. Ragnok didn't speak but only lifted his finger allowing the door to unlock. Draco followed the goblin into the vault and looked around. It was filled with more gold than what was in his own vault and he could only assume that was because Leo didn't access his as often as Draco had. Plus the Dark Lord was draining all of the Malfoy vaults to help fund his war. Leo's remained untouched because Andromeda was able to cut off the paper trail and its affiliation with the Malfoy family.
After gathering a sack full of gold, Draco stealthily pointed his wand at Ragnok, "Imperio." The black eyes of the goblin glazed over and he stared at Draco like he didn't have a care in the world. The wizard sighed and ran a hand through his now loose, shoulder length, platinum locks, as he really hated using the Unforgivable curses after what happened to the Bell girl the year before. "You will head back to the lobby. If anyone asks, I collected my bag of gold and returned with you. You will only remember us parting ways after you escorted me back to the lobby. Now go."
The goblin nodded closing the door to Leo's vault and getting back into the cart. Draco walked toward the track and noticed that there was nothing really connecting any of the vaults, which had been carved into the bedrock below the foundation of the building. He was sure a handful of less secure vaults existed within the crooked building itself, but many of the ancient Wizarding families had one lower within the depths of the caverns. He sighed quickly realizing the only way to reach the Lestrange Vault without alerting anyone would be to transform and fly down to it.
Draco jumped off the ledge and plummeted for a moment before transforming into the strong winged beastly form he loved more than his human one. Somehow, being a dragon meant that he was free of all of his father's expectations, he didn't have to worry about any of Voldy's threats because he could just eat the vile creature or better yet sit upon him, and nothing felt more freeing than flying. He'd always loved the wind in his hair and that was the reason why he joined the Slytherin Quidditch team his second year. Flying had always been a stress reliever for him since he was a young boy and received his first training broomstick.
He enjoyed the freeing flight through the open caverns. He did a few belly rolls to make sure his wings weren't harmed in the more enclosed areas. He didn't know what was leading him in the proper direction, however something in his gut was telling the right way to go. He soon found himself standing on the very bottom of the carved out bedrock. He knew that only the most secure family vaults would find solace within the deepest bowls of the bank. He walked in the direction he was being pulled toward; he still couldn't understand what was showing him the correct direction. It surely couldn't have been any of the Lestrange ancestors because they were far crazier than, the old bat, Walburga Black. When he looked upon the sickly looking dragon wrapped in chains and mostly blind, Draco finally understood what had drawn him to the proper vault. Apparently he didn't just resemble a dragon in his Animagus form, he was a dragon. He understood her call and followed her pulsating magical aura. The poor thing wanted out of the bank. It was her prison from the time she hatched.
Draco transformed back and pulled out his wand. She just tilted her head back and forth as her unseeing eyes focused on him. She sniffed the air, as if he had the same dragon aura even when he stood in his wizard form before her. He had to think for a few moments to determine his best course of action. In the past he wouldn't have cared how other magical beings were treated, however his time spent as a dragon had changed his outlook on the magical beasts. He was no longer the cold hearted boy his father raised him to be. He did quite a few advanced and difficult transfiguration spells to shrink and place the female dragon into a deep sleep. He then pulled out a random object from his bag of holding and created the perfect den for her until he could set her free. He'd have to find the perfect place to set her free, so that she'd be safe from harm. The sickly looking dragon curled up in the cave like cage. Draco performed quite a bit of magic to insure she'd have plenty of everything she'd need and was protected before placing her in his pouch. He wanted to make sure it was all self contained so the vast space in his bag wouldn't cause her distress or any physical harm. He then sat down where the dragon previously stood and pulled out some of the many hot meals he'd packed after placing a stasis charm on them.
Draco didn't know how much time he spent in the deep vaults of Gringotts, as he awaited the arrival of the Golden Trio, however he didn't mind his boredom. He spent most of his time in his dragon form, as he figured it was safer to sleep as the dragon than take the chance of being discovered sleeping as a wizard. He didn't need anyone happening upon him and realizing the dragon that had guarded the vault for so many years was gone. He had to play his part just right. He'd remained in contact with Leo who'd been placed under house arrest with the rest of the family including their dear Aunt Bella. Of course, thinking of her as their dear aunt was only done in the most facetious manner. Leo wasn't even permitted to leave the Manor to return to Hogwarts, as the Dark Lord wanted to keep them together, as if to make it easier to dispose of them for their failure.
Bellatrix didn't seem to take too kindly to their punishment. She walked around with her lower lip stuck out and took her anger out on Lucius and Leo. There were many times when Draco was forced to concentrate on mentally soothing Leo as Bella practiced the torture curse on him. No matter how much pain Leo was in, he never broke. Onetime, he managed to wandlessly and nonverbally body bind her, before knocking her out, and levitating her to her bed. From that point on, Leo seemed to do everything in his power to avoid her. Draco couldn't help but question if Leo belonged in the Slytherin House for his ingenuity alone. The boy took to roaming around the manor at night in his lion form and spending his time locked up in the library of the home. He took to sleeping during the day and rarely leaving his room. Draco remembered how his heart hurt when he saw his mum checking on Leo as he slept.
Draco's thoughts were interrupted when he heard people outside of the chamber. He put himself in a defensive position that looked like he was ready to spit fire at any moment. Draco listened, as he heard the goblin explain that he was mostly blind and that they'd trained him to expect pain when he heard the sound. So when they started shaking the clankers as the goblin had referred to them, he cowered back in faux fear. He knew he had to play his part for long as necessary. He remained in his spot and heard the same goblin state that they needed to place the other goblin's hand on the door to the vault. He watched as the three entered the vault from an upper landing.
Draco was shocked when he saw several goblins run past him. He knew that the others had been caught and soon the goblin who'd spoke previously, with a sword in his hand intermixed with the crowd, and yelled about thieves. The other goblins surrounding them all had daggers they were brandishing. He watched as Harry sent the stunning spell out and saw that many wizard guards were running around the corner. He felt Harry's magic shoot behind him. It hit the illusion charm he'd cast to make it look like he was in the same chains as the previous dragon. Draco remained calm as he realized Harry had planned to escape on his back. Hermione quickly questioned what Harry was thinking, as he climbed upon his back and the other two followed suit. Draco couldn't help but admire the courage that existed within his childhood advisory. In that moment Draco was thankful that his Animagus took the form of that particular breed of dragon because his size and his steel like scales prevented him from feeling the three on his back. However, that changed when Mr. Lightning bolt decided to knee him in the back. He let out a loud roar and managed to whack the surrounding goblins with his wings, as he took to the air.
He heard Hermione complain that they weren't going to make it because the passage was too small, which caused him to let out another loud roar followed by a long stream of fire. It was the first time he'd ever produced flames in his dragon form, and he was a bit shocked by it but didn't have too much time to analyze the implications. He had to get out of the bank and the three Gryffindors on his back to safety. The outcome of the Second Wizarding War depended on it, and he was going to do everything in his power to make sure the light side won.
He broke through the elaborate marble floor of the lobby and watched as both goblins and wizards cowered in fear. He wanted to chuckle because they had every right to fear him. He was a strong and majestic beast that no one could ever manipulate or subjugate again. He quickly made his way to the dome of the building and broke through the glass. He was excited to be free of that prison and that he'd managed to get the three on his back to safety. There was still hope for them, for all of them, and he knew it was only a matter of time before Harry would defeat the Dark Lord. He launched himself into the sky and felt the freedom of flight once more. He knew that they had gotten what they came for and he could only guess that it was a Horcrux.
In his excitement, he climbed higher and higher into the cooler hair and above the cloud banks. He headed north in an attempt to get as far away from Wizarding London and his childhood home. He knew that once the three decided to dismount, he'd fly straight to Romania to free the other dragon. He flew over the more rural parts of England as he continued to head north. Finally the silence was broken when the weasel bellowed, "What do you reckon it's looking for?"*
Harry managed to yell back, "No idea."*
After the sun set and the reds and oranges gave way to indigo, Draco felt that they'd headed far enough north, as the last coppery rays illuminated the landscape below. He began to lose altitude with the hope that the crazy Gryffindors might decide to jump. He wanted to chuckle as the king managed to shout, "Is it my imagination or are we losing height?"*
Draco decided to descend in a corkscrew like formation, as he lowered himself toward a smaller lake in the mountainous valleys of green. He heard their fearless leader call, "I say we jump when it gets low enough! Straight into the water before it realizes we're here!"*
Draco listened to the resounding agreement between the other two members of the party. Draco skated across the water of the lake as his sliver underbelly dipped into the water. He heard Harry bellow, "NOW!" before he and the others moved across to the side of his back and jumped off feet first. Draco realized quickly that Harry had underestimated the height and wished the boy had waited a bit longer before taking the plunge. Draco continued to fly further across the lake as not to fall under suspicion and sucked up a large gulp of water. The flight had caused him to develop a thirst he'd never felt before. He only turned around for a moment to make sure the three had made it to the bank safely before he took to the air once more. He had a dragon to free in Romania, after all. He headed farther north deciding it was faster to fly over the Arctic Circle before heading south toward Romania. He flew over the vast Siberian forests and the rice fields of china before finally reaching the small Eastern European country. It was still large but small in comparison to Russia or China.
It didn't take long for him to locate the Dragon Refuge and was surprised to see that the red headed dragon taming Weasley was still there even though his family was in so much trouble back in the UK. He landed before the rugged looking second born Weasley child whose eyes widened upon seeing Draco. He really didn't know if he could trust the man before him, but he was tired of hiding his secret from everyone. He watched as the man's mouth dropped open further as he watched the dragon melt back into that of a young wizard. His nonexistent brows furrowed, "How'd you do that?"
Draco chuckled loudly, "Weasley, I thought you were one of the smart ones. I'd expect that question from Ron, but come on you should know what an Animagus is."
The man's features quickly transformed and his ears reddened, "What are you doing here, Malfoy?"
Draco sighed and shook his head before lifting his hand in a placating gesture to his shoulders, "I'm not here to cause any harm. I just helped your brother and his two friends escape Gringotts. I have also brought an abused female Ironbelly dragon from the bowels of that bank. I thought she might find solace within these protected lands. She's scarred, mostly blind, and has never had a taste of freedom before. Do you think she'd be safe here?"
The dragon handler's blue eyes widened, "Where is this dragon in which you speak?"
Draco reached into his pouch and brought out the cage. He checked on her quickly to make sure she was still okay since it had been a few days since he first trapped her. He opened the door of the cage and watched as the dragon walked out. He waited for her to get far enough away, so he and Weasley were safe, before chanting the counter spells that allowed her to return to her former size. She seemed to notice the difference in the air and quickly took to flight leaving Draco and an awestruck Weasley standing there. Draco sighed, "I didn't mean to bother you, but I just wanted to make sure that she was somewhere safe. She's lived a long and tortured existence at the hands of those goblins as a means of protecting an ancient family vault. After spending so much time in my other form I have gained further appreciation for my namesake."
"I have to admit that I never really knew you, but you've changed haven't you, Draco?"
He looked at the other man and couldn't stop the genuine smile that spread across his face, "Well, yes I have, and I can only thank Leo for the change. If it weren't for my brother I don't know where I'd be right now." He cleared his throat, "Probably under house arrest like the rest of my family."
He stopped speaking as visions of the drawing room of his home were littered with bodies of both wizards and goblins. His mother held Leo tight to him as the Dark Lord paced back and forth across the room where the previously murdered dead laid. He seemed to be thinking hard about something and neither Leo nor Draco knew for sure what it was, but they had their assumptions. Draco could only assume that the Dark Lord discovered the mission given to Harry by Dumbledore. The Dark Lord was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't seem to notice the two standing in the room next to the fire. He spoke to Nagini in Parseltongue before disappearing with her in the twisting form of apparition. Draco paled and shook his head with relief that his mother and brother were safe.
"Are you feeling well?"
The blond shook his head and looked upon the concerned ginger, "More blood has hit the floors of Malfoy Manor. Let's just say that Riddle didn't like hearing the news about the Golden Trio breaking into the Lestrange vault escaping. I was worried for the safety of my mother and brother, but they seemed to have escaped from the death he'd littered the drawing room with, I can only assume moments before."
The other man's eyes went wide, "How do you know that?"
Draco only managed a smile that resembled more of a grimace, "Now, now, I can't be sharing all of my secrets with you, now can I?" He turned from the other man before apparating back to the French Cottage he'd called home and had become more of a home than Malfoy Manor ever would be. He collapsed on his bed finally allowing his exhaustion to take him. However, that small amount of peace was interrupted when his dark mark burned. Someone had notified the Dark Lord of something. His mind reached out to Leo to determine what might've happened. What's going on?
Leo's voice rasped in his mind and filled the pit of his stomach with fear. I'm not sure but I can only expect that someone has found Potter. If I trace the energy correctly, it was Alecto who pressed her Dark Mark. I think that Harry Potter has arrived at Hogwarts. You should probably start heading there before the battle breaks out. Remember you're the only one who can save Severus.
Draco's heart beat as he turned on the spot and thought of the forested mountains just outside of the village of Hogsmeade. He didn't want to alert anyone else of his apparition. It was without thought that he once again took to the skies in his dragon form, only it was under the constellation of Draco, as he flew toward the Hog's Head where he knew the tunnel to Hogwarts existed. He landed just outside of the pub and transformed back into his human form and summoned his brother's robes from his pouch. He was quickly dressed in the Gryffindor robes and prepared to play his part as one of the Leo's on the scene. He walked toward the back of the pub and requested passage.
The younger brother of Albus stared at him suspiciously, "I know that you're not Leo as he's impersonating you right now. What are you doing here Draco?"
Draco sneered, "I'm here to help the light. I'm here to bring favor to my last name and fight for the side I should've been on from the beginning. Please sir, just let me through the tunnel. I'm wearing my brother's robes in hope that I can muster up some of that Gryffindor courage and fight for those who cannot save themselves."
The old man just nodded as the portrait of his sister swung open. He walked through the tunnel and soon came out on the other side. The room of Requirement was filled with house colored hammocks, all except for the Slytherin house colors. He looked around the room and still discovered it filled with students and Order members. He noticed the Weasley twins present along with Ginny. Everyone turned toward him and their mouths dropped open.
One of the twins furrowed his brow, "Don't think you can just impersonate him. You'll have to prove your worth if you wish to stand on our side."
Draco nodded, "I shall do the great lion proud as we bring down the vilest of all the snakes."
Neville approached him as the others weren't looking, "Draco, are you sure that you want to be here to fight this battle. I understand that Leo's been impersonating you all year."
Draco nodded, "This is something I must do."
A/N: This chapter was written a couple of months ago along with the other two I've already posted. I was waiting for someone to show an interest in this story before posting it, but since I still haven't received any more I've decided to update anyway. I'm still a bit blocked and will eventually write another chapter of The Joke Book Trap, but as I said previously I've found inspiration elusive. I don't want to go as far as to say it's on hiatus, but I know that it's my goal to finish the last three chapters of that fiction soon. So, for anyone who's read it and is waiting for the next chapter, I'm sorry.
All dialog belongs to JK Rowling as it was quoted from Chapter Twenty-Seven, The Final Hiding Place from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007).