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Chapter Eleven: Meetings and Mysteries
Later that night after the champions had been chosen McGonagall held her meeting with Professor Csintalan, Malfoy, Madame Maxime, Harry, and Ginny. She was very orderly about it all, and had arranged the room so that the seating was in a sort of circle so that everyone felt more at ease.
Unfortunately, no one appeared to be a bit at ease except for McGonagall, and possibly Csintalan who had seized on the offer of brandy and was pouring himself a liberal glass. The train was a bit too small for Madame Maxime, as was the chair she was offered. The poor woman had to enlarge it in order to fit, and then it took up a good portion of the available space.
Harry knew he was sulking but couldn't help that his mind was running through all the possibilities as to what game Malfoy might be playing. Ginny was quiet and had a pinched look on her face, like she too was wondering the same thing. Malfoy, who usually seemed like he had the upper hand, looked distracted and anxious, which only piqued Harry's interest more.
"I suggest we start at the beginning with a bit of background on this matter for the sake of Professor Csintalan and Madame Maxime," McGonagall said as an opening.
"'Zat would be good," Madame Maxime agreed. Csintalan belched his concurrence.
"As I said before," she explained, ignoring Csintalan's rudeness, "Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter have never had a good relationship. Up until their sixth year at Hogwarts, however, their differences were mostly due to inter-House rivalry."
"It was a bit more than that, Professor," Harry interrupted bitterly.
She shot him a warning look but didn't disagree. "Mr. Malfoy's parents were both known Death Eaters and staunch followers of Voldemort," she said, not batting an eyelash at saying the name. "Of course that put these two young men at odds right from the beginning."
"Yes," Csintalan said robustly, sipping his brandy. "Yes, I suppose it would."
"In any case, their differences were very minor, all things considered, until their last year at Hogwarts. It came to Professor Dumbledore's attention early in the year that Mr. Malfoy was behind a plot to kill him, ordered to do so by Voldemort himself."
Csintalan choked on his brandy at that news and Madame Maxime gasped.
"He knew?" Malfoy said, looking at McGonagall in surprise.
She nodded curtly – and a bit coldly. "Of course he knew. Albus was no fool. He knew exactly what you were up to all along, and he allowed it to continue because he hoped that you'd change your mind, and your loyalties. He always tended to think the best of his students – even you, Mr. Malfoy."
Malfoy hung his head miserably.
"In any case, after several failed attempts to kill the Headmaster – one of which almost killed Ron Weasley, Mr. Potter's best friend – Mr. Malfoy concocted a plan to allow the Death Eaters into the school one night while Albus was away."
Malfoy looked up at that. "I only did all that because He said if I didn't he'd murder the people I cared about. I was afraid, and I felt like I had no choice."
"You always have a choice," Harry couldn't help retorting angrily.
"Maybe you do, Pious Potter," Malfoy sneered in indignation. "But I wasn't going to risk the lives of my parents in order to defy Him."
"Yeah," Harry yelled out angrily. "How'd that work out for you? They both ended up dead in the end anyway, as I recall."
Malfoy straightened up, the rage glinting in his pale eyes. "They lasted longer than your parents did."
Harry fist clenched and he might have jumped up and pulverized him had Ginny not put a calming hand on his arm to stop him.
"No more," McGonagall commanded. "The both of you are out of line here, and I'll not have it!"
When they were properly cowed, she continued. "Albus returned after the attack was underway. He was not well and Mr. Potter, who was with him at the time, was attempting to go for help when Mr. Malfoy burst in and cornered him. According to Mr. Potter, Albus had heard the commotion, suspected an attack might be underway, and had insisted that Harry cover up with the invisibility cloak he had inherited from his father before going for help. When Mr. Malfoy surprised them, Albus had enough presence of mind to Petrify Harry so he couldn't give himself away."
"You were there," Malfoy said turning to him, a look of total shocked on his face. "You were there the whole time?" His eyes narrowed, looking at Ginny. "That's how you knew. He told you."
"That's right," Ginny said fiercely. "Harry told me everything, including what a traitor you were by allowing Voldemort's Death Eaters into the castle. If it hadn't been for you, my brother would never have been attacked by Fenrir Greyback! He almost died that night, you know, as did several other good people."
Harry's voice was strangled as the memories came back to him like it had just happened yesterday instead of three years ago. "I saw everything. You held your wand on Professor Dumbledore and you wanted to do it but you didn't because you're too much of a coward, so Snape came to your rescue and finished the job."
"I thought I didn't have a choice," Draco insisted despondently. "But then Dumbledore started talking and I…," his voice faltered, "I couldn't go through with it. I knew it was wrong. After Professor Snape came in, it was like I was frozen and before I even knew what he was doing – much less do anything to stop him – it was all over. Afterwards Snape told me to run as far away as I could get, and so I did.
"I knew no one would believe me," he continued. "I couldn't go back to Him after I had failed to carry out his orders, and I couldn't go home. So I Apparated to Gringotts, withdrew enough Galleons to get me by for awhile, and left the country." He nodded towards Harry. "When I heard that Potter had actually killed the bastard I tried to find out where my parents were. That's when I learned that my father had been murdered in prison by a fellow Death Eater and my mother had been killed by her own sister. I also discovered that our entire estate had been seized by the Ministry and that I was wanted for aiding and abetting a criminal."
He stared at the carpet, as if seeing the scene in his mind. "I was out of money so I went to my ex-girlfriend, Pansy Parkinson, and asked her to loan me enough to get somewhere safe. She refused, but when she wasn't looking I nicked a bracelet that I had given her for Christmas one year and pawned it. That got me enough money to get to my great-uncle's house in Russia, and by that time I had been acquitted. All my father's assets had been seized, however, and I found out I was penniless.
"Uncle Tobias didn't want me either – said I came with too much baggage and he wasn't going to be responsible for the insolent son of a Death Eater, but after I begged for his mercy and reminded him of how my father had once gotten him out of a bad situation he reluctantly agreed to pay for my final year of education at Durmstrang. After that, I wasn't to ever call on him again. He says we're even now and he's through with me. I have no other relatives except the werewolf's whore and her Mudblood-loving mother," he ignored Harry and Ginny's cries of protest, "so when I found out about the Tournament I thought it might be my chance to turn my luck around."
Before McGonagall could reprimand Draco for his foul language, Csintalan stepped in. "Detention, Mr. Malfoy, for such obscene talk. I do not tolerate that sort of language or attitude at Durmstrang. Past Headmasters may have allowed it to go on, but I do not. Durmstrang is an honourable institution and, contrary to what some might believe, we do not and have never condoned the teaching of the Dark Arts, nor the kind of attitude towards Muggleborns that you have just displayed. I am thoroughly disgusted by you."
Harry was shocked to see Malfoy look ashamed. "I'm sorry, Sir," the git said, almost sounding sincere. "It's a habit I learned a long time ago, and I really should watch my mouth. My father drilled it in me since I could talk that Muggleborns were the lowest forms of life next to the half-breeds, and sometimes it just slips out. But that's still no excuse. I'll check my tongue in future."
"See that you do," Csintalan said sharply. "You are the Durmstrang champion now, and you carry the honour of our school on your shoulders. We are not happy with the Goblet's choice, but it can not be changed so we will make do with what we have been given. You will behave yourself from now on, however, especially in public. Is that clear?"
"Certainly, Sir," Draco said mildly.
Before Harry could retort that Csintalan was delusional if he thought Draco Malfoy could behave himself, McGonagall turned to him.
In a similar sharp tone she said, "And you will do as much, Mr. Potter. You may not like Mr. Malfoy or trust him, but you are a representative of Hogwarts and you will behave as such. Many eyes will be on all three of you this year, and displays like the one at our arrival will NOT be tolerated from any of you." She turned, her eyes now boring holes into Draco. "And that goes for you as well, Mr. Malfoy. I may not be your teacher any more, but you are a former Hogwarts student so I feel I have the right to expect as much out of you as I do from my own students. You may have been cleared by the Ministry, but you still have a great deal to prove to me, young man. Understood?"
She looked at each of them expectantly, waiting for a response.
"Yes, Ma'am," they all murmured in downtrodden voices.
"Good." She straightened up, smoothing her robes. "Now, unless there are any other concerns that need to be addressed, I would like to speak to Professor Csintalan and Madame Maxime in private."
The three students got to their feet and made their way out. There was an awkward moment at the doorway when Harry found himself side by side with Malfoy wondering who was going to step back and allow the other to open it, but Ginny solved the problem by shouldering through them and opening it with an angry bang then closing it again when both boys tussled their way through.
They stood in awkward silence as Malfoy looked around the classroom with interest, seeming in no hurry to leave. Harry finally said in a curt voice, "Don't let us keep you, Malfoy. I'm sure you want to get back to your friends on the ship."
To his surprise Malfoy didn't rise to the bait. "As a matter of fact, I do need to get back," he said in a surprisingly cordial voice. He looked around again almost wistfully. "…Never realized how much I'd miss this," he murmured quietly. Then, in a more normal, sarcastic voice he sniffed, "See you around Potter… and you too, Weasley. Seems we'll be spending quite a bit of time together this year."
His eyes raked over her appreciatively making Harry reach for his wand. But before he could draw it the git turned and left with a smirk still gracing his pale face.
"So help me I'll…" Harry swore as he stared off in the direction Malfoy had gone.
Ginny sighed. "I know, Harry," she agreed. "Something just doesn't add up here. Did you see his face when his name came out of the Goblet? He didn't seem a bit happy about it."
"I noticed," Harry said. "It was like he wasn't expecting it. And the other Durmstrang students weren't happy about it, either – none of them applauded. I can't help thinking that Malfoy isn't very popular with his classmates at his new school."
"Well, he hasn't been there very long, has he?" Ginny pointed out. "But, knowing Malfoy, I'm sure he's made loads of enemies already. Plus, I bet they were expecting one of their own to be chosen champion. As it is, it's almost as if Hogwarts has two champions competing instead of just one, just like last time."
"Except that Malfoy has no loyalties to anyone other than himself," Harry said adamantly. "He doesn't care about Hogwarts or Durmstrang. Whatever he's up to is only for his own benefit. I just wish I knew what it was he wants."
"My guess would have been the prize money if I hadn't seen his face tonight," Ginny said thoughtfully. She shook herself. "But whatever it is, we can't solve the mystery tonight. I'm exhausted. It's been a very emotional day and all I want is to crawl into bed and sleep." She moved to the doorway that led to the sleeping compartments, but when he didn't follow she asked curiously, "Aren't you coming?"
He shook his head. "I'll be there in a bit. I have a few things I need to take care of before I turn in. You go on… I see you in the morning at breakfast."
She gave him a knowing look. "All right, then. See you in the morning." She turned to leave, only to be stopped by Harry's voice.
"Ginny, wait," he called out. She turned back looking at him inquisitively. "I am proud of you by the way," he informed her. "I know I didn't say it earlier, but congratulations. I'm really happy for you."
Her face broke out in a stunning smile, lighting her up from the inside out. She backtracked and stood in front of him with probing eyes, then leaned in and surprised him by kissing him so thoroughly his toes literally curled.
Pulling away, she breathed, "Thanks, Harry."
Leaving a flabbergasted but very satisfied boyfriend behind, she walked to the doorway then turned and blew him a sweet kiss. "Goodnight, my love."
"Goodnight," he echoed dumbly.
She turned and he watched her leave, grateful that she had accidentally left the door ajar as she exited which allowed him an excellent view of her backside as she made her way to their side of the train.
He sighed as she disappeared from sight, turning to the classroom area and setting about trying to find some parchment and a quill in the small light cast by a single glowing oil lamp set on the wall. He wanted to write a letter to Tonks informing her of this latest development and what he had learned about Malfoy. He hoped that maybe Tonks could check out what Draco had on his uncle, because something about his explanation didn't feel right. It was almost as if he had blackmailed his uncle into sending him to Durmstrang where he would be in a good position to join the Durmstrang delegation to Beauxbaton's. He also hoped that she would have some suggestions as to what Draco might be up to other than the obvious.
Locating the items, he sat down and scribbled out his letter by the light of his wand which he had propped up to see by, pausing only to dip his quill in the ink. At some point he heard the professors leave but no one came near where he was seated, slightly hidden by a small bookshelf. Just as he was finishing and waiting for the ink to dry on his letter, he heard a small creak. It had come from the sleeping quarters near the classroom compartment. Curious, folded the letter and stuffed it in his pocket, then quickly extinguished his wand before going to investigate. Wondering who would be up at this hour since by now it was well after midnight, he tiptoed to the door, grateful that he had not turned up the lights in the classroom. The dimness served as a mask, keeping him hidden from view as he peeked out into the corridor.
It was Nott. He was moving quickly but stealthily, like he didn't want to be seen, dressed in black robes. Uncertain about what he was up to, Harry decided to follow him, keeping a safe distance and staying in the shadows so he wouldn't be noticed.
The boy turned the corner and Harry thought he had lost him until he saw the door to the compartment that led to the outside closing, as if someone had just slipped out. Without thinking, Harry went after him, careful to slip out the door quickly before Nott spotted him. The night air was warm and breezy outside the train with a bright moon overhead. Harry didn't have a bit of trouble seeing Nott. He crouched down next to the train and waited to see where he was going before following. As soon as he was far enough ahead, Harry drew his wand and disillusioned himself then took off after him at an easy run that would not alert the other boy to his presence.
Nott didn't notice a thing as he made his way over a small bluff and towards a massive dock where the Durmstrang ship was anchored in the rolling water, rocking gently back and forth as the small waves hit against it. Until then, Harry had not realised how close they actually were to the sea, but here it was spread out before him just a few meters from the school. The tall, dark bulkhead and masts of the ship against the blue-green of the water and the yellow rays of the moon in the distance looked like a portrait that had been painted by a master artist. The scene would have taken his breath away had he not been so focused what happened next.
A slim figure appeared suddenly from underneath the dock as Nott approached and motioned for him to come closer. His heart racing, Harry ducked and hid himself in the wild grass that lined the beach watching Nott approach the figure then disappear out of sight under cover of the heavy wooden beams.
Harry sat back, stunned. There was no question who Nott was meeting – the silver-blond hair of the figure belonged to none other than Draco Malfoy. Whatever Malfoy was up to, Nott was obviously helping him. He let out a disgusted breath. Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin... Now he had two enemies to watch, and one of them lived just down the hall from him. Bloody Hell, could this get any worse?