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 Twenty-Three – Cursed Bell

On the last Saturday of the month, Narcissa Malfoy showed up, and she and Draco got permission to have dinner in Hogsmeade. Leo and Theo ate dinner early because they were spending that evening like they spent their weekend nights when Leo didn't have Quidditch Practice. Leo hadn't gone to another Slughorn dinner, as Harry would schedule a practice every time he received an invitation. Leo felt sorry that Hermione was left in the clutches of Cormac, but there wasn't anything he could do about it, as Harry was trying to prevent Ron from feeling left out.

Leo and Nott were in their animal forms when they saw the two leaving the Castle. They followed them in the shadows to continue with their spy work. Draco peered over his shoulder every once in a while as if he sensed they were being followed. Theo and Leo waited outside when they noticed the two enter the Three Broomsticks. They transformed back and with some quick wand work the two were well disguised. Leo kept the same long hair but charmed it red and added sprinkle of freckles across his nose. He gave Theo green eyes and brown hair. They both sat at a table not too far from the Malfoys.

They both ordered some food and watched as the two conversed. Narcissa seemed a bit worried as the two spoke in hushed tones that Leo couldn't hear, no matter how hard he tried. Soon she got up to use the loo. Draco was left alone at the table. Leo watched as Draco walked up to the bar. He pointed his wand at Rosmerta and muttered an incantation. He continued to speak to her at the bar. He must've asked for a butterbeer as she handed him one and he paid for it with a Galleon too much. Leo leaned to whisper in Nott's ear, "You don't suppose he just Imperioused Rosmerta, do you?"

Nott's green eyes widened, "I don't know, but he will need someone to help him with his mission. We cannot report suspicions though. You know what if we misinterpreted the situation."

Leo tossed down a couple of Galleons for the meal and got up, "Come on let's head back. I don't think there's any more information we can get here. I think I need start dream walking again, but for some reason he's not doing much at night."

Leo couldn't shake the sneaking suspicion that Draco had Rosmerta under the Imperious Curse, but wouldn't keeping someone underneath a curse like that be physically draining? He spent his free time, when he wasn't busy doing homework, in the Library's restricted section researching the Unforgivable Curses. He knew Harry had learned how to resist the Imperious Curse, but he also knew it took someone with a strong will. Leo wondered if he and Nott were capable of resisting it. Well, hopefully they'd never have to find out. Soon the days gave way to weeks, it was mid October, and their first trip to Hogsmeade was welcomed. Leo was laying in his bed, which thanks to a bit of magic and the approval of Dumbledore, he shared the room with five other students instead of the usual four. Out of nowhere Ron let out a loud scream and he was dangling upside down in the air. He quickly fell back on his bed and Harry was apologizing profusely. Dean and Seamus were cackling from the sight. Leo just shook his head. He quickly realized Harry had attempted another of Snape's invented spells.

He swiftly got dressed and made his way to Hogsmeade alone. He didn't really wish to accompany Harry, Ron, and Hermione because they were likely to draw attention. He wanted to meet up with Theodore and find out what information he was able to gather. The two of them met in a secluded corner of Hogs Head. Leo of course had to say hello to the other Dumbledore, or rather the Headmaster's younger brother. He'd done his research and surprisingly one could find plenty of information in old newspapers. He was shocked to find an article discussing their father's imprisonment at Azkaban for attacking three muggles. He simply duplicated it and filed it away as another example of when a parent's beliefs are not passed on to a child, but part of him wondered if there was more to the story. Leo laughed when he read an article about him getting in trouble for being too friendly with his goats.

"So, did he come out today?" Leo whispered trying to make sure that if anyone heard the conversation, they wouldn't know of whom they spoke.

Theo shook his head, "No, I heard him complaining this morning that he couldn't go because he had detention with McGonagall for not doing his homework."

Leo's brow furrowed, "So, he's been neglecting his school work, as well. You'd think it wouldn't be too challenging since he's only taking three classes. Unless he's spending his time fussing over other things he need not fuss over." Leo slammed his fist down on the table, "I only wish I could find out what he's doing."

"I don't know maybe Goldilocks could find out for you," Theo smirked.

Leo's eyes widened and he whispered, "You did not just name my lion Goldilocks, did you?"

Nott nodded his head, "It seems to fit."

Leo crossed his arms, "Fine then I get to name yours. I like the name Shadow."

"Well that sounds mysterious," Nott mused as the two of them finished their butterbeers before leaving the pub separately.

Leo walked back toward the school when he overheard an argument going on from behind him. He turned around to see what was going on. Katie was pulling back a package from another girl who Leo hadn't met before but suspected she too was in Gryffindor. The package fell to the ground, and Katie let out a blood curdling shriek as she flew into the air. He watched in horror as they tried to pull her down but couldn't. Harry rushed passed him, as he stood staring at his fellow Chaser. A million questions bombarded his mind. Where had Katie gotten the cursed item? Why were they arguing about it, unless Katie was acting strangely? Who was she supposed to deliver the package to? It couldn't be Dumbledore, could it? His mind stopped as a cold shiver ran up his spine. Could Draco have done this? Could he be somehow communicating with Rosmerta? Could she have waited for someone to be alone so she could use the Imperious Curse on the unsuspecting boy or girl to deliver the item to Dumbledore? But surely Draco was more intelligent than that, the item would've never made it into the castle with Filch running around with that sensor. Leo was supposed to be spying on Draco to make sure something like this wouldn't happen. Now Katie Bell was cursed and he couldn't help but feel at fault. Leo turned and ran to the castle as Harry and Hagrid made their way back. He yelled, "I'll go let Madam Pomfrey know what happened, while you two collect Katie, and whatever was in that damn package."

As soon as the others were out of sight, he morphed into his Lion so he could get back to the castle faster. Once he reached the covered bridge and was sure it was empty, he morphed back and ran into the castle. He quickly made his way to the Infirmary and located Madam Pomfrey. He promptly explained what happened and let her know that Hagrid would be bringing Katie straight to her. He sent two Patronus Lions, one to McGonagall and one to Snape. He then wondered where Draco could be. He checked the sixth floor but noticed no one was there. He ran back down stairs to witness Draco booking it down the hallway toward the bathroom looking sick. Leo muttered a disillusionment charm and stepped into the bathroom. He watched as Draco stood in front of the mirror. He was running water and splashing his face with it.

He was alone, and Leo could tell that he was crying. He was already buckling under the pressure of his task and it was only October. How much longer would it be before he snapped? Leo was about to say something to him when Moaning Myrtle came up from the toilet behind a stall. She stared at him in amazement, "What's wrong?"

Draco jumped and turned to see who'd disturbed him. He slouched when he saw the ghost of a former student, "I just feel so alone. No one understands what I'm going through. No one understands what it feels like to be forced to do something I don't want to do."

"So, someone's bullying you? You don't have any friends? I know how that feels."

"I'm afraid I'm going to fail and if I fail he's going to kill me. I've never been so afraid in my life. I-" He burst into another fit of sobs. Leo couldn't help but empathize with his twin, but he had to know.

He called out from his hiding place, "So, you instructed Rosmerta to pass a package off to someone in hopes that person would deliver it to Dumbledore. Do you feel horrible?" His voice bounced off the wall keeping his location still hidden.

Draco looked around but didn't see anyone but Myrtle. He stammered, "I had to do something. I don't know if I can fix it. I've tried but-"

"Do you feel horrible that Katie Bell got hurt by the item you inadvertently placed in her possession with hopes of getting it into the castle and to Dumbledore?"

Draco nodded as more tears streamed down his cheeks, "But I had to do something. He's threatening my family. He's going to kill us all if I don't succeed."

"You're attempting to repair it in the Room of Requirement, right? You're consulting Borgin and having him keep the other one there. How much longer do you think it will take?"

Draco's already pale features turned ghost white and he shook, "Who are you? How do you know that?"

Leo rolled his eyes and refused to move from his spot, "I'm your conscious Draco. I know you've realized what you're doing is wrong. I also know that you're going to continue because it's the only way to save your family, but is it really? Do you not have other options?"

Draco continued to look around the room, "Of course I don't. It's either succeed or die."

"What about your godfather? Couldn't he help you?"

Draco shook his head as the tears stopped flowing, "He'd try to take all of the credit. He's already stepped over my father to become closer to the Dark Lord. He'd rather see me fail."

Leo knocked on Snape's office door in the dungeons, after leaving his twin in the loo. Snape opened the door, "Have some news, do we? Come inside."

Leo quickly explained what he'd seen in Hogsmeade the night he'd followed Narcissa and Draco. He then explained his reasoning for not sharing the information sooner. He clarified that he still wasn't sure how Draco was communicating with her and went over his conversation with him in the bathroom, "So, you see he's afraid. He's putting all of his effort into fixing that vanishing cabinet in the Room of Requirement and he must've given up hope, so he tried another way."

Snape paced back and forth, "So, he's afraid to tell me what he's doing because he thinks I'll take the credit. He's such a foolish boy."

"I understand, but Katie Bell has come to harm because of his thoughtless act. I'm afraid he's already starting to crack. He was crying in the boys' bathroom for Merlin's sake. I hate seeing him like this. I hate that he's so broken, but part of me knows this is a lesson he needs to learn. For the first time in his life he's not being pampered. Perhaps this is the wakeup call he needs much like Regales Black had after he joined the Death Eaters. The same type of wakeup you had at some point for some reason. Why else would you turn spy for the Order?"

Snape stiffened at that comment but kept everything in check, "Yes, well we're not here to discuss those things. How do you plan on monitoring him?"

"I could try impersonating a ghost. How difficult is it to appear transparent? Well, perhaps ghost isn't the proper term. Oh, but you're the one I should be asking right? You did invent so many spells when still in school and I believe you deemed yourself the Half-Blood Prince? Wasn't Prince your Pure-Blood mother's maiden name?"

Snape's dark eyes narrowed, "You've been doing research, haven't you?"

"Maybe or perhaps one of the students has happened across your old copy of Advanced Potion-Making. Don't worry, no one's figured out that you're the Half-Blood Prince is yet, but I'm sure someone else will before the end of the school year."

"I don't have much more time to chat. I told Madam Pomfrey I'd be there to help," Leo went to leave the room.

"No need, Katie has been moved to St. Mungo's."

Leo turned, "Thank you, Professor."

Leo left for the Quidditch Pitch early on the morning of the game against Slytherin. He advised Nott to follow Draco in his wolf form. They needed to figure out what he was doing and Leo had a feeling he wouldn't be participating in Quidditch that year. Leo quickly realized his assumption was correct, when it was announced that Draco was sick and couldn't play. Also, the Slytherin Chaser Vaisey had taken a Bludger to the head the night before. Leo remembered being in the Infirmary with Madam Pomfrey when he came in. Zacharias Smith was doing commentary and Leo wanted to have one of the Beaters send a Bludger his way. Ron was on a roll blocking every Quaffle that came his way and soon the Gryffindors erupted into the Weasley is our King Song. The game went on for a half an hour and Gryffindor was leading sixty points to zero. Ginny had scored four of those six goals. The other two were scored by Leo. Dean was still getting a hang of playing on the Quidditch team after replacing the infirmed Katie Bell.

Soon Leo heard Smith claim Harper had seen something and he was speeding off. Leo quickly looked around and realized the Snitch was indeed being chased by Harper, but Harry was hot on his tail. Harry almost immediately caught the Snitch and Gryffindor had won the match. At the end of the game, Ginny flew straight into the announcer podium while everyone else landed beside it. She apologized to McGonagall and said she forgot to break. Leo avoided the tower that night knowing it would be filled with overenthusiastic Gryffindors. He needed his peace and quiet, plus he'd told Nott he'd meet him in the forest right after the game. He quickly went upstairs changed, and ran back down stairs and outside. He transformed on the covered bridge and took off into the woods. The two of them found a sheltered clearing and had their discussion.

"So, did you find out anything?" Leo blurted out as soon as Theo transformed before him.

"I found out that he is indeed going into the Room of Requirement and he's having Crabbe and Goyle guard the door while he's in there. I wasn't able to get into the room to find out what he was doing though. He was still in there when the game ended," He explained.

Leo's eyes widened, "So, wait if I went up there right now, I'd find Crabbe and Goyle still standing against the wall?" Theo nodded. "Well, then perhaps it's time I find out what exactly he's doing to attempt to fix that cabinet."

"Do you think that's a good idea?"

Leo smirked, "Probably not, but perhaps if I can gain his trust, I can prevent other incidents of harm from occurring. Plus, if there's going to be a Death Eater invasion of the school perhaps we can be prepared for it. All Hermione would need to do is notify everyone using the-" he shook his head, "coins. Draco's communicating with Rosmerta using an enchanted Galleon. You need to go tell Snape for me. Just tell him I sent you."

He shrugged, "I guess me seeing my Head of House would be a more common occurrence than you visiting him."

When Leo reached the sixth floor, he quickly transfigured his robes and hair to resemble Draco. He walked up to the two Blundering Buffoons standing guard. Their eyes went wide, "When I left it let me out in a different location than normal. I had to quickly get something."

They didn't respond and Leo walked back and forth in front of the wall three times thinking I need to find something hidden. I need to find something hidden. I need to find something hidden. There was a pop noise and the door appeared. He opened the door and walked into a room full of junk. There were piles of old desks, a place where someone had stashed a bunch of empty bottles. He walked through the piles of junk from what he could guess was almost one thousand years worth of hidden items. He could hear muttering and headed toward the sounds. He found a grumbling and pacing Draco in front of the broken Vanishing Cabinet.

"So, what do you plan on doing after you've succeeded and murdered Professor Dumbledore?"

Draco startled and turned to face him, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to talk to you much like I did in the boys' bathroom the other day," Leo took in Draco's appearance and noticed that he face was thinner. His eyes were hollow, he hadn't noticed it before because he was too busy noticing Draco openly cry.

Draco's eyes widened, "You saw me crying in the bathroom?"

"So, you're going to stay here over the upcoming break, right? I'm sure that Narcissa will want to see you, but she also understands the important job you have, or is Voldemort expecting a full report?"

Draco shuttered at hearing the name, "Please don't say his name."

"Are you staying here over the winter holiday?" Leo demanded.

He stared at Leo, "Yes I am."

"Then you and I need to have a conversation. Are you strong enough at Occlumency to keep the Dark Lord out?"

Draco nodded, "I think I am."

"Well, you better not let this secret slip, or it will be your hide. You hear me?"

"What secret?" he stopped and stared.

"Let me tell you a lovely story. One, I'm sure you've never heard before. You see one night when Lucius was out playing with his Death Eater friends, Narcissa gave birth to two babies. Since Lucius and Bellatrix weren't there, Andromeda was called to help her. She brought her seven year old daughter Dora. There was a complication and the healer had to remove Narcissa's womb to save her life. So, the first born was named Draco Lucius Malfoy and the younger and a weaker of the twins was named Leo Abraxas Malfoy. We were born June 5, 1980. You see, when daddy dearest returned home, I was still sickly. Dora and Dromeda were there taking care of me, while you were being cared for by both mum and dad.

"I don't know if you're aware but there's a law on the books that give the patriarch of a Pure-Blood family the right to root out the weak. Lucius had decided he was going to use his right and kill me, but Dora refused to let him. She was strong even at seven; I guess one could tell that she'd one day be an Auror. So, long story short and a memory charm later. I was sent to be raised by a couple in France to protect me. I grew up knowing about you and reading about my family in the paper. When I came here two years ago, it was because I wanted to meet you." Leo attempted to pull Draco into a hug, but he backed away with his hands up.

"You expect me to believe that?" He demanded.

Leo raised an eyebrow, "Yes, I did. Well, fine don't believe me." Then he thought of something and smiled, "When you go to visit your vault at Gringotts, have you ever wondered why there's one right next to yours? Doesn't that section of vaults only belong to Malfoys? Why would one Rosier have access to vault right next to the Malfoy heir's vault?"

His eyes narrowed, "What's the number of your vault then?"

Leo smiled, "Mine is 913 and yours is 912, right?"

Draco looked at him and scoffed, "Yes, you always had a knack for getting information. Don't think giving me my vault number will make me believe you. One of the Weasleys works at Gringotts. He could've told you."

Leo turned allowing his robes to billow behind him, "Fine, be that way."

A/N: I know I've got Leo trying to tell Draco but he won't believe him, will he? What will Leo do? Will he get through to his brother? How can he get Draco to believe him? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.