Having cast the spell, a thick blue beam shot out of Harry's wand and collided with the wards. Harry held his wand steady as the spell unfolded, his breath hitching as he watched the effects; the glimmering dome that sealed the property started to show cracks like Norbert's egg when it hatched.
Harry gasped when the cracks appeared to diminish in size. The wards seemed to be mending themselves! He kept his arm steady as the blue beam bathed the dome, his magic intermingling with that of the wards. His body felt oddly displaced, as if he was undergoing one of the visions he had been plagued with during the time his scar connected him to Voldemort. This thought made him realize that the magic in the wards felt malignant, hateful, just like Voldemort's mind when he was involuntarily joined with it.
"Bloody Ministry!" Harry muttered under his breath, startling his friends. "They built the wards upon the residue of Voldemort's magic!"
Harry was dimly aware of his friends' excited babbling as he concentrated all his awareness on breaking the wards. His stance strong, he scowled at them while he poured all his love into the spell, recalling Dumbledore's words after Voldemort tried to possess him just after the Battle in the Department of Mysteries.
Voldemort's Dark Magic was repelled by love, so Harry wielded that weapon just as deftly as he was using the wand of Destiny, his mind flowing like a skipping stone across the joyful moments he had shared with Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, and the Weasleys - until finally he dwelled on his feelings for Draco.
Harry's loneliness in the woods which was soothed when Draco's owl reached him, bearing his apologies. The exchange of letters that followed which brought them closer, and their heated groping on a Hogwarts cupboard that managed to survive the grueling Final Battle. In the midst of death and despair, their kiss offered succor to the battle-weary Seekers.
Harry closed his eyes, recapturing his mood in the middle of the woods when he composed the poem he sent to Draco, inspired by his feelings for the Slytherin.
He whispered softly,
"Feelings escape the Pensieve of my heart,
taking flight like thrushes high above,
despair melts in a defeated Boggart,
the incantation fueled by our love."
The excited yelling of his friends caused Harry to open his eyes, his heart jumping with joy at what he saw. The cracks were multiplying, crisscrossing the wards which swiftly transmuted from an angry red to a translucent grey before they burst apart, dissolving into the air just like Voldemort when he was finally vanquished.
Despite the malicious designers of the wards, who cunningly employed the remaining magic of the darkest wizard that ever lived to control the wards, Harry had triumphed at last. The wards could not withstand the power of the wand of Destiny that cast the spell, woven as it was with the warp and weft of Harry's loving heart.
Harry was startled when Ron clapped his back. "Well done, mate. Knew you could do it!"
Bill walked up to them, shaking his head angrily which made his ponytail swish back and forth across his neck. "I can't believe the Ministry gits did that! You never build wards upon Dark magic because the results are hideous. I've dealt with Egyptian tombs and cursed castles where they did just that, causing anyone who dwelled there to die!"
Hearing those words, Harry shivered and started to walk fast towards the Manor. "Draco! I've got to see him!"
Hermione tried to keep up with her friend's long strides. "We've got to hurry! The Ministry will be aware sooner or later that the wards were destroyed. And if they were built with Dark magic, you know what that means!"
"They wanted to kill the Malfoys," Luna said breathily a few yards behind them. "Probably many of the former Death Eaters. I've heard they have similar wards around the Parkinson and Nott estates, and the place where Blaise lives."
Harry reached the wrought-iron gate, which opened smoothly when he pushed against it. The gate yielded so easily because it didn't have the proper wards set up by the Malfoys, of course. The thought made Harry scowl angrily at the ornate wrought iron as he passed through them.
He glanced at Hermione, thrusting his chin at the gates. "The evil gits who attack the former Death Eaters can pass through these powerful wards so easily! Makes you wonder, doesn't it?"
"Of course," Hermione said angrily. "They must be keyed into the wards. It's all a conspiracy to get rid of the former dark wizards, disregarding the law!"
The wizards and witches quickly crossed the lawn and arrived at the door of the house.
Hermione placed her hand on Harry's shoulder, squeezing gently. "You go in, Harry. I'll stand guard here to buy you some time when the Aurors arrive."
"I'm staying with you, Mione," Ron said, his hands balled into fists. "No way I'm leaving you alone with those gits!"
"I'll try to persuade them," Bill said, patting Harry's shoulder. "You go inside."
"I'll threaten them with exposure in the Quibbler," Luna said firmly. "It's bound to at least make them think."
Harry nodded at his friends and wrapped his hand around the serpentine door knocker. He winced at the sound it made against the wood just before it was opened by a house-elf.
"Err, is Draco here?" Harry said, smiling down at the house-elf.
"Certainly, Master Harry! He is in his study; Winny will take you to him!"
Harry followed Winny's tiny figure along the meandering corridors until they reached a heavy wooden door. The house-elf bowed low to Harry before she disappeared with a popping sound.
Harry raised his hand to knock on the door when he heard Draco talking inside.
"Yes, sir. I've spoken with my friends and they all report the same thing. The financial statements are clear; if you remember, last week I told you my reasoning."
There was a long pause as Harry's fingers splayed on the wood, unsure of who Draco was talking to.
"You must have realized by now the risks you are facing with your wards, sir. I will keep in touch."
Harry's impatience got the best of him; he pushed open the door and strolled inside. He saw Draco sitting in front of his desk, cradling a mirror between his hands.
Draco looked up at the sound and his eyes widened when he saw Harry Potter standing there. "Harry! You're here!"
Then he noticed Harry was frowning at the mirror. Draco had a fit of coughing as he put the mirror face down on his desk. He finally said, "This is a Malfoy heirloom, one of several two-way mirrors. A while ago I gave them to my friends and they are the means we use to keep in touch. Apparently their subtle magic is the only thing able to pass through the wards."
Draco shivered at that, his expression a mix of elation and curiosity as Harry's presence finally sunk into his consciousness. "You passed through the wards!"
"It wasn't easy but I made it." Harry frowned at Draco and then opened his arms. "Git, come here and give me a hug!"
Draco jumped out of his chair and pounced on Harry, his arms wrapping tightly around his waist as he sighed deeply, burrowing his face on Harry's shoulder. "Knew you would do it! You're so special, Harry!"
Harry cupped Draco's chin with his thumb and forefinger and gently tilted it up, his tongue laving the seam of Draco's pouty lips. Their kiss was brief and chaste, unlike the first one in the ruins of Hogwarts. Draco's taste felt sweet and sharp, as if he had been indulging on Narcissa's sugary treats.
Harry broke the kiss with reluctance, mindful of Hermione's warnings about the Aurors. They would raise a fuss and might even arrest them all. He had to give Draco his wand! After all, it was his purpose when he came here.
Harry leaned his forehead against Draco as he closed his eyes. What will happen if I give him his wand? Harry thought. After all, it is the wand of Destiny. How can I be sure Draco will use it wisely and not go into a rampage? Hermione said it was our choices that define us, and Draco has made so many bad choices in the past.
"Harry, I'm so happy you're here!" Draco whispered against Harry's cheek, unmindful of Harry's train of thought.
But he chose not to kill Dumbledore, he didn't betray me at the Manor and he saved me from Goyle. Harry breathed Draco's woodsy scent which reminded him of a copse of pines. He apologized in writing, and he's just a lonely bloke, forced by destiny to fight this bloody war just as I was.
"Harry? What are you thinking about?" Draco said, his voice laced with impatience.
If Hermione's right, Draco's wand became the wand of Destiny right after he disarmed Dumbledore. Harry shuddered at the recollection of those awful moments. He became the Master of the Elder wand right then. He could've killed me and escaped. If he was not in control of the nuances of his magic, he would have become Voldemort's right hand man, and he could have easily overpowered my wand and killed me at the Manor.
"Potter, what's the matter with you? Kneazle got your tongue?" Draco poked Harry's chest angrily.
It's all about choices. Draco chose to sacrifice himself for his parents, to stand by me in his underhanded Slytherin way and to become my boyfriend, knowing the stress he would face. Harry opened his eyes, his fingers caressing Draco's smooth cheek. "I choose to believe in you," Harry whispered tenderly.
"Finally you deign to speak to me, Potter," Draco huffed, leaning his cheek into Harry's touch. "I thought you were lost in that Pensieve of your heart."
"We don't have time, Draco," Harry said urgently, fishing his wand out of the pocket of his robes and pressing it into Draco's palm. "Take your wand and use it wisely to defend yourself and your family."
Draco shivered at the jolt of magic that shot sparks through his body. In the moment when the hands of the Seekers clasped around the wand that had played such a major role in their lives, there was an ineffable connection, a hint of Destiny fulfilled. The pliant wand hummed happily, the magic imbued in the unicorn hair and the hawthorn knowing it had come home at last in the presence of both its masters.
oOoOo
The poignant moment was interrupted by Narcissa's shouts coming from downstairs.
Harry and Draco ran out of the study and dashed downstairs, listening to Narcissa's angry voice. "Leave these boys alone. You have no rights to arrest them!"
The two wizards found a confusing scene in the parlor. Hermione, Ron, Bill, and Luna were surrounded by Aurors with wands drawn directly at them. Narcissa leaned on the doorframe, glaring at the Aurors.
"Mrs. Malfoy, you had better keep quiet," said a stout Auror. "We detected the wards the Ministry put in place around your house were destroyed, and we find these four on the lawn! Mighty suspicious if you ask me; we'll have to detain them for interrogation!"
"Coombs, let's just take them to the holding cells," a thin woman said, her wand oscillating between Luna and Hermione.
Harry pushed Draco's shoulders to keep him in the background as he strode firmly towards the group. "If you arrest my friends, you'll have to take me with them. I was with them all the way."
The eyes of Auror Coombs widened at the sight of Harry Potter. "What is the meaning of this?" he said angrily.
"You'll just have to find out, won't you?" Harry said reasonably. "Can you imagine the headlines in the Daily Prophet tomorrow?" Harry made quotation marks with his fingers. "Aurors arrest the Boy-Who-Lived and other heroes of the War for unknown reasons."
Coombs scowled at Harry, his fingers gripping tightly his wand. "Don't tempt me, Potter! You are not above the law, and your presence here in the face of the obvious relationship you have with this Death Eater here is reason enough to arrest you!"
Harry squared his shoulders, glaring at the Aurors. "So do it. You can't treat me worse than Voldemort did."
Noticing the grimacing faces of the Aurors at the mention of the real name of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Harry growled low in his throat, "You gits don't even have the gumption to listen to his name without shivering like little girls, and yet you dare to arrest me?"
"Potter, don't tempt me!" Coombs shouted, jerking his wand in Harry's direction.
Draco stood poised like an insulted hippogriff, his fingers gripping his hawthorn wand beneath the hem of his robes. If these stupid gits thought they would harm Harry in his presence, they had another thing coming!
"Well, well, what do we have here?" A man said softly, entering the parlor with measured steps.
Ron's face broke out into a wide beam. "Perce, glad you're here!"
Percy Weasley stuck his hands in the pockets of his striped trousers as he nonchalantly studied the Aurors' faces, his attitude implying they were beneath his notice. He nodded curtly at Ron and then Bill, his wild red hair so similar to his brothers'.
Percy pushed up the rim of his glasses with his thumb and said, "I trust you have warrants for their arrest?"
"What?" Coombs roared. "We don't need warrants in the face of clear danger. The wards were destroyed and…"
"And you don't know who destroyed them," Percy said severely. "You found these people here. For all you know, they might have just been passing by and found the way free to visit their friends."
"Then who destroyed the wards? Answer that, Undersecretary Weasley!" Coombs said cagily.
"We have to find out who did it, certainly," Percy said, looking down his nose at the irate Auror. "There will be an investigation for sure. I will certainly advise Minister of Magic Shacklebolt to place the Unspeakables in charge of said investigation."
"What?" Coombs said, his arms hanging limply in disbelief.
"It's obvious that the Aurors can't control their instincts enough, judging by the pitiful display I've just witnessed. And now, if you don't want me to Floo the Minister of Magic and disturb his important conference, you will kindly leave this place."
The Aurors scowled at the wizards and witches before slouching out of the parlor, their shoulder hunched down in defeat.
"And please close the door when you leave," Percy said, disdain tingeing his voice. "Show a tad of good manners at least!"
oOoOo
TWO WEEKS LATER
Harry gripped the edges of the chair, his attention fixed on Draco's silky hair, a dash of blond amidst the plum-colored hats of the members of the Wizengamot. He studied his boyfriend's face with care, noting that the alabaster cheeks were not as pale as they had been when the wards broke. Draco craned his neck to shoot Harry a sneer which warmed his blood before leaning forward to speak to Narcissa, who sat next to Lucius. The Malfoy patriarch seemingly felt Harry's keen gaze on him because Lucius turned his head, glancing severely at Harry before giving him a curt nod.
Harry glared at the members of the Wizengamot for the danger they put Draco and his family through with their ill-timed actions. The staff at St. Mungo's had told him that the Malfoys' health had indeed suffered under the curse-like conditions under those evil wards. It wasn't only the Malfoys: the Parkinsons, Notts and Zabinis among others had suffered under those wards.
Then Harry glanced at Hermione, who sat by his side, noting the way her fingers gripped the smooth edges of her briefcase. Two Parkinson house-elves had died under the malignant wards and naturally Hermione raged on and on about the callous treatment of house-elves after the war, finding an unlikely sympathizer in Draco.
Several Aurors were suspended, their actions under investigation when it came to light that the Ministry had received owls expressing the distress several families felt under the wards. They had duly turned the information to the Auror department which didn't react at all.
The investigation of the destruction of the wards around Malfoy Manor, conducted briskly and professionally by the Unspeakables, promised to yield surprising results. Percy told Harry that the scuttlebutt around the Ministry suggested several heads would roll.
Harry smirked vindictively at that, and then he noticed Mrs. Thistlewaite's lined face glancing at her peers.
The spokesperson for the Wizengamot stood up, coughing discreetly to gather their attention. Mrs. Thistlewaite gripped several parchments on her hands, spotted with age. Then she glanced down at Draco.
"The results of the vote on the motion of annulling the sentence against Draco Malfoy and Narcissa Black Malfoy are as follows: 67 nays and 99 yeas. Therefore, the rights of the aforesaid wizard and witch to use their wands are hereby restored." Mrs. Thistlewaite placed one parchment on the table and read from another. "Furthermore, their house arrest is declared null and void; Lucius Malfoy will still remain in confinement at his home for a period of two years. However, given the results the Unspeakables have communicated to this august body, it is our intention to ban the use of wards to keep people prisoners in their homes."
"YAY!" Harry pumped his fists on the air, carried away by the good news which meant Draco would be able to finish his Eighth Year at Hogwarts alongside Harry. Noticing the startled glances of the wizards and witches around him, Harry ducked his head, not without blushing at the lewd wink his boyfriend shot him.
"We will continue, ignoring Mr. Potter's obvious enthusiasm," Mrs. Thistlewaite said, not unkindly.
She coughed into her hand and leaned down to pick up another sheaf of parchments. Her lips pursed into a thin line, she said, "The results of the investigation of the Unspeakables are of the utmost concern, indicating as they do the rot that lies at the heart of the Auror Department, and indeed in this august body itself."
There was uproar among the wizards until Mrs. Thistlewaite said in a loud voice, "Silence! There are important matters to discuss, such as the anger the management of Gringotts has expressed to us. The conspirators that twisted the purpose of the wards for their nefarious means used blueprints from Gringotts wards, which of course means the goblins had to find other costly means to protect the bank."
The wizards and witches in the audience murmured among themselves at that, aware of the goblins' reluctance to part with money, as well as their long memory.
"You may have noticed the absence of several esteemed members of the Wizengamot today," Mrs. Thistlewaite said somberly.
Hermione's ears pricked up at that. She hadn't seen Mr. Compton's old face twisted in his odious sneer.
"Those people were arrested by the Unspeakables this morning; I'm afraid my colleague Mr. Compton was one of them. They are under suspicion of collusion to use their influence to conspire against former Death Eaters families, in the hope of exacting revenge and lining their pockets as a result of it." Mrs. Thistlewaite placed the parchments on the table, leaning forward to stare down at the audience.
"It is a pity that having just endured the dreadful War imposed on the Wizarding world by a madman, we squabble amongst ourselves in petty revenge, instead of devoting all our energies to rebuilding the Wizarding world!" She banged her fists on the table, startling several old wizards. "It is a disgrace that members of the Wizengamot, the Ministry and the Auror corps engaged in this odious behavior and shielded their base actions behind the law!"
Harry noticed Percy's shock of red hair as he nodded vigorously to these words. He shot Percy a grateful smile for the protection he afforded them the day the Aurors wanted to arrest them all in Malfoy Manor.
"Therefore, the Wizengamot has this stern advice for Minister of Magic Shacklebolt: he should clean up the Ministry just as he promised when he took office. Unfortunately this lamentable incident tells us he hasn't been as diligent as he ought to be; therefore, we expect him to find a new Head Auror within four days." Mrs. Thistlewaite raised her hand to quell the growing agitation of the audience. "Silence! The Wizengamot is only catching up on its duties, doing what should have been done during Cornelius Fudge's fumbling tenure as Minister of Magic. Santayana, a Muggle philosopher, once said, 'Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.'"
Mrs. Thistlewaite placed her hands on the table, her voice rising as she continued. "The Wizengamot refuses to believe we are condemned to repeat another frightful War, pitting purebloods against Muggleborns once more, and we will take corrective actions to stop that rot before it spreads!"
"This is madness!" yelled a young witch in the audience. "Shacklebolt is doing a great job!"
"Which nearly led many families to their deaths," Mrs. Thistlewaite said in a tired voice. "If Minister Shacklebolt fails to comply with our advice, this body is ready to force a vote of no-confidence. Should the Minister lose the vote, a new Government shall be formed."
Mrs. Thistlewaite sat down, ignoring the slurs and hateful looks directed her way while she calmly sipped pumpkin juice from a copper goblet.
Once the people had calmed down, Hermione squared her shoulders and raised her hand.
Mrs. Thistlewaite peered down at her. "What do you want to say, Miss Granger?"
"In the spirit of what you have just said I will quote George Santayana again, 'Injustice in this world is not something comparative; the wrong is deep, clear, and absolute in each private fate.'" Hermione lifted her chin, her glance sliding along the members of the Wizengamot, some of which looked at her with sympathy while others averted their gaze. "I'm talking about the house-elves, two of whom died in this useless squabble you mention. Isn't it time we do something about it, to show the world that we are no longer slaves of tradition?"
Hermione smiled when Ron gripped her elbow lightly while Harry mumbled under his breath, "Way to go, Hermione!"
"I don't mean to say we should free the house-elves immediately," Hermione said softly, recalling the pain she had seen in Winky's eyes when she no longer had a master. "But we should grant them some freedoms and increase them gradually until the time comes when they are as free as they can be. After all, these sentient, magical beings have no choices now."
"Wise words indeed, Miss Granger," Mrs. Thistlewaite's lips lifted up in a fleeting smile directed at Hermione. "You will be pleased to hear that the last item on the agenda before we close this session is the bill for the improvement of the rights of house-elves."
Hermione felt time passing as slow as tired flobberworms while she waited on tenterhooks to hear the results of the vote. She tried to listen to the deliberations as they went on and on, but she was too keyed up to pay much attention. Instead she concentrated on visualizing other paths that would grant the house-elves the freedom they deserved.
When the deliberations stopped and the votes started being counted, each nay cutting deep in her heart, Hermione distracted herself watching Harry and Draco flirting. Draco would rub his fingers through his silky hair and lean down to ostensibly tie the laces of his shoes, offering Harry a tantalizing glimpse of his rump. Then Draco would turn his head, his grey eyes shining while Harry brushed his fingers through his tousled hair and licked his lips.
Hermione's attention was wholly captivated by the Seekers engaging in their unusual mating ritual, so Mrs. Thistlewaite's voice jolted her.
"We have the results for the vote that deals with the bill for the improvement of the rights of house-elves," Mrs. Thistlewaite said solemnly. "The numbers are as follows: 80 nays and 86 yeas. The yeas have it, and therefore the bill is approved."
Hermione couldn't help herself; she pumped her fists on the air, although she did not shout out loud like Harry had done.
Fighting to keep a smile off her face, Mrs. Thistlewaite banged her gavel and then stood up. "This session of the Wizengamot has come to an end."
Harry stood up, his joints creaking after so much time sitting down. He gave Hermione a warm hug and clapped Ron's back, his eyes looking for the distinctive shock of blond hair he knew so well.
While the witches and wizards made their way out of the hall, Harry reached Draco, who was talking to his mother.
Narcissa shot Harry a sly smirk. "Harry, you might want to borrow Draco's hair gel; your hair looks slightly in disarray."
Harry gulped and blinked owlishly at her while Narcissa patted Draco's shoulder. "I have to leave, son. Lucius waits for me at the entrance. I'll see you at the Manor; we have to get your stuff for Hogwarts."
Narcissa strolled towards the exit as Harry brushed his fingers through his hair. "Why did she mention your hair gel?"
"Mother is very observant." Draco smirked. "And your hair does look like an owl's nest."
Harry shot him a heated glare while Draco leaned forward to whisper in his ear. "Love it. Makes it look like you've just been shagged into next week."
Harry's lips twisted in a lopsided smirk. "Wonder what your hair looks like after a shag?"
"Why don't we find out?" Draco leered, his fingers brushing Harry's arm.
"Excuse me, Mr. Malfoy," Mrs. Thistlewaite said, interrupting the banter of the wizards. "Can you come to my office to clear up some things?"
"Certainly, Mrs. Thistlewaite," Draco drawled. He gripped Harry's arm. "I'll see you in Grimmauld Place after I'm done."
"Looking forward to it." Harry shot him a smoldering look while Draco walked towards Mrs. Thistlewaite's office.
oOoOo
"Sit down, Malfoy." Mrs. Thistlewaite pointed to the chair on the other side of her worn desk. "I am very pleased with your work."
Draco sat down on the chair and crossed his legs, a fleeting smirk on his handsome face. "Thank you, Unspeakable Thistlewaite."
She waved her hand at him. "No need to use titles here, Malfoy. This is a very informal debriefing. I'll start by saying I'm glad you accepted my offer when the tendencies in the Wizengamot indicated your sentence would pass."
"I couldn't leave Mother and Father alone." Draco shrugged. "Your words promised some relief later on, and I jumped at that."
"Spoken like a true Slytherin." Mrs. Thistlewaite took out her wand and accio'd a couple of butterbeer bottles which she poured into two goblets. She pushed one towards Draco and hefted the other one to sip the smooth drink.
"I've learned to scale down my plans," Draco said and leaned forward to grab the copper goblet which felt cold under his fingertips. "To work in small steps, if you will."
"Still, you placed yourself in considerable danger when you accepted to bait the trap. When the Malfoy heir meekly accepted his fate and didn't flee to France, the conspirators felt safe. I've read the Healer reports from St. Mungo's and I have to say it was a very close call."
Draco sighed and then sipped the butterbeer, glancing at Mrs. Thistlewaite over the rim of the goblet. "I have faith in Harry," he said simply. "And it gave me the opportunity to work undercover to find out the whole extent of the conspiracy. Everyone thought I was helpless when the news spread that I was trapped in the Manor."
"Your idea of using the Malfoy Mirrors to find out the financial implications was a stroke of genius." She looked sharply at Draco. "You pieced together the information your friends provided to find out the true reasons for the wards: they wanted the money from all your vaults."
"They were a greedy lot," Draco sighed, his fingers cradling the stem of the goblet. "I had to let the goblins know to protect our money. Hope you're not mad at that."
"Not at all," she said. "We expect and desire a certain amount of independence from our Unspeakables. Besides, it put the goblins on our side. Their anger is formidable indeed, and it will force Shacklebolt to comply with our demands and clean up the Ministry."
"Our Unspeakables….?" Draco trailed off, cocking an eyebrow at Mrs. Thistlewaite.
"Come back to see us when you've graduated from Hogwarts and you'll have a place in our ranks," she said.
"I still don't see why you accepted me." Draco shook his head. "I'm just a former Death Eater."
"So was Severus Snape, and he was the wizard that contributed the most to vanquish Voldemort." She raised his hand in apology. "Apart from Harry Potter."
"Was Severus an Unspeakable?" Draco said with a big lump on his throat at the mention of his mentor.
"We don't divulge that kind of information, Malfoy," she said firmly. "But you knew Snape's fierce pride and independence; that will tell you the answer."
Draco sighed sadly, sipping the butterbeer as he gazed at the window in her office.
"We need people with skills and determination, who work well under pressure and show ingenuity," she said. "Your past doesn't matter as much as the choices you make from now on."
"I guess I'm forbidden to tell anyone when I become an Unspeakable," Draco said.
"That is true, you are allowed to tell only your spouse or your partner," she said briskly and put the goblet aside, and then she grabbed a sheaf of parchments and started ruffling through them.
Knowing he was dismissed, Draco stood up and walked to the door.
Mrs. Thistlewaite looked up and said, "Out of curiosity, will you tell Harry?"
"That I was the bait in the trap and you offered me a job?" Draco drawled. "Course I will! Harry deserves to know and besides, you don't want to mess with an angry Harry Potter!"
Mrs. Thistlewaite smiled at that while Draco's fingers closed around the doorknob.
Then she said in a whisper, "What about your whole reasons to accept our agreement? Will you let Harry know?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm a Ravenclaw myself, Malfoy," she said. "I watched your face closely when I mentioned the ramifications of the conspiracy, our suspicions that these wizards intended to take out known supporters of fair treatment for purebloods, like Granger, Weasley, and Potter. You were very concerned and it was obvious to me that Harry Potter was the main reason you accepted my offer."
Draco leaned on the doorframe and took a deep breath to calm himself. "To answer your question, I will never tell Harry. Let this be a small atonement for all the pain I put him in through the years."
Draco opened the door and walked out of her office.
Mrs. Thistlewaite turned her attention to her parchments, listening as the sound of Draco's footsteps receded in the distance, and then she whispered softly, "Good luck, Draco. You deserve it."
Next, the conclusion