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-Five – Hogwarts Christmas

Soon almost everyone was leaving the school to go home for the holidays. Fay was the only other Gryffindor who stayed at the castle. Leo almost wanted to ask her why she didn't return home, but something told him that she probably wouldn't tell him. He couldn't help but wonder if the pure-blood Gryffindor had more in common with his friend than he first thought. He shook his head and walked down to the tables in the Great Hall. There were very few students seated for breakfast and Fay was sitting next to Theo at the Slytherin table. Draco was seated there as well looking quite sick as all of the other Slytherins went home. The majority of the students who remained were Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. Leo took a seat next to Draco and patted him on the back, "Merry Christmas, Draco."

Draco jumped at the touch and glared at Leo, "What was that for?"

"Just wishing you a Merry Christmas," Leo shrugged. "Has mummy sent you your gifts?"

Draco's eyes narrowed to slits, "Do not speak of my mother."

Leo crossed his arms, "I think that you have a wonderful mother. She seems to love you deeply. Didn't she go to your Godfather and ask for help. She doesn't want to lose you Draco. I think she might even love you more than Lucius, right now. You'll always be her baby, Draco."

"I'm no one's baby. I'm a man and I don't need anyone's help," Draco jumped up from the table.

"Ah, but do you know what happens when an Unbreakable Vow is broken?" Draco stared at Leo for a moment. "Yes, that's right. The person who breaks the vow dies. Do you really want to see him die?"

Draco turned and walked out of the Great Hall. Fay turned to Leo, "What was that about? Who's made an Unbreakable Vow?"

Leo shook his head, "It wasn't anything." He looked at both Fay and Theo. He smirked, "I just like rattling his chain."

Fay crossed her arms, "Perhaps you should leave him be. I don't know if you noticed, but he's not been looking well lately."

Leo sipped his pumpkin juice, "I've noticed." He looked over at Fay, "So, what's your story? Why didn't you go home for the break?"

Fay focused her blue eyes on him, "Well, perhaps we don't all have as loving mums as Draco has. Perhaps I don't get along with my parents and would rather be away from them."

Leo looked at Theo who was busy staring down at the table, "I know that Theo's here because he'd rather be around people than in his vacant house. This is your first Christmas without him, isn't it?"

He looked up from the table, "No, I haven't had a Christmas with my father since my mother died. He's always been just a little too busy."

Leo looked around, "Uh, well my parents are out of the country. You see my Grandmother's sick back in France. They're taking care of her right now, so I'm staying here."

The doors to the hall opened up and Tonks stumbled through, "Leo, you are staying here."

"Dora, what are you doing here? I thought you'd be getting ready to have dinner with the Weasleys," Leo ran to give her a hug. His favorite cousin was at Hogwarts on Christmas.

"Uh, well I was going to go to dinner there, but then I found out that Lupin was going to be there," she looked away.

Leo took her by the hand and walked out of the great hall with her, "I think that we need to talk. I know how you feel about him, and you really shouldn't allow his rejection to affect you that way. Others might believe your grieving Sirius' death, but I figured out the new Patronus. I think he's hesitant to follow his heart for many reasons and they have nothing to do with you Dora. The first is that he cares about you enough not to want you in danger-"

"But-"

"Dora, I know that you're an Auror, and a damn good one, however he was a Gryffindor. We tend to put the people we love before our own feelings. We do things to protect those people. I haven't seen him in a while and I'm guessing that he's off on Order business. Due to his affliction; I'm going to guess he's been with others of his kind. Think about it, he's already outlived two of his best friends, and his other friend turned traitor. You may not be grieving Sirius' death, but he sure is. He's always lived on the fringe of society because of his illness. He's never really been accepted by the Wizarding community and he doesn't have much to offer you. Then there's the age difference, and the fact that he truly believes he doesn't deserve to find love. The people he loves tend to die. Don't you see?"

Her hair changed from the mousy brown it had been since she'd lost control over her metamorphic abilities to a bright pink. She smiled and messed up his hair, "Why are you so wise for someone so young?"

Leo shrugged, "I guess it's the way I was raised."

Her smiled lit up her whole face, as her hair turned platinum blond and her eyes were gray, "Yes, we really don't need another spoiled Pure-Blood."

"Yes there are still too many of those from the Black and Malfoy lines. Of course you're mother is an exception and Sirius was another."

Her eyes twinkled, "You get ready. We'll be visiting the Weasley's for dinner tonight, after all."

"When and where shall we meet?"

Her hair turned red like a Weasley, "We'll meet on the covered bridge at 3pm. We'll walk to Hogsmeade from there and then I will sidelong apperate you."

Leo gave her another hug, "Okay then, I'll see you then Dora."

Leo dressed in a silver jumper and a pair of dark wash jeans. She wore jeans, a black jumper, and a knee length brown leather duster. Her hair was shoulder length and purple as she held out her arm, "You'll be able to do this without assistance in a few months."

The world twisted and knotted and spun out of control, and before Leo had a chance to shut his eyes they arrived. They were a good fifteen feet from the Burrow. They passed by the wards but Dora had been invited so there was no worry. She knocked on the front door and Mrs. Weasley opened it, "Tonks dear, I thought you weren't coming today."

Dora looked over at Leo and smiled, "I didn't think I was, until I had a little chat with my cousin."

"You're looking much better dear. I don't think I've seen your hair that color in a while. Dinner will be ready in about an hour."

Leo smiled, "That's good because I need to have a chat with an old friend." He walked right over to where Lupin was sitting, "I need to have a word with you, outside!"

Lupin's eyes narrowed, "If you must." Once outside he held up a hand, "I know what you're going to say Leo and it's not going to change anything."

"Do you love Dora?" Leo demanded with his arms crossed.

"Yes, I love her," he stared down at his feet. "But I'm too old for her, too poor, and definitely too dangerous."

"Are you not a bit less dangerous when you're taking the Wolfsbane potion?"

"You don't understand. She wants to get married. She'd be ruined if she married me. There's no way her family would approve of her marring a werewolf. She makes me happy but everyone I love-"

"Dies, and for some awful reason you blame yourself. No one knew that Peter would betray the Potters. Sirius was stir crazy and never really recovered from his twelve years in Azkaban. Why not give her what she wants? If she dies during the war," he shuttered at the thought, "at least she would die happy because she loves you."

"But if she's with another person she's less likely to die."

Leo rolled his eyes, "She's a ministry Auror. She's a member of the Order and has vowed to fight against the Dark Lord, the Death Eaters, and some of them are family members. She's going to be a part of this war whether you marry her or not. Why not give the lady what she wants? She's been horribly depressed from your rejection. Just think about it and stop being so damn stubborn. I understand it's a Gryffindor trait, but sometimes it deters us from happiness."

He didn't say anything and just walked into the house with Leo following him. He looked at Dora and grimaced, "Our conversation changes nothing."

Dora grabbed Leo by the arm and the two of them quickly departed from the Burrow as her hair color faded back to brown. Her depression hit her full force. They apperated and she left him in Hogsmeade as she walked toward Hog's Head. Leo didn't want to leave her, but he knew nothing would help her at that moment. So, he transformed and ran back to the castle hoping he hadn't missed dinner.

He was happy to find the same three people sitting at the same table as they had during breakfast when he reached the Great Hall. He took a seat next to Draco and started piling on the Holiday goodies the House Elves had prepared. Draco looked at him, "I thought you had gone somewhere to enjoy Christmas dinner."

Leo shrugged, "I thought I had too. However, my cousin Dora decided to hurry back after the beau she's pursuing shot her down again. I swear I want to punch that man in the face for his Gryffindor stubbornness. He thinks his decision to spare her is for her protection, but he doesn't realize that in the current political atmosphere, no one's safe. I mean I'm sure Death Eaters are trying to infiltrate Hogwarts as we speak, and I wouldn't be surprise that the Dark Lord is trying to figure out a way to kill Dumbledore. You know he's the only wizard that the Dark Lord fears. I'd really hate to see what might happen to families who have failed him."

Draco paled and quickly stood, "I forgot that I need to do something." He ran out of the great hall.

Theo looked at him, "Did you have to say that to him?"

Leo shrugged, "What? It's the truth? How was I supposed to know that his family was being threatened by the Dark Lord? I mean the Malfoys have been humble servants for years. Lucius landing in Azkaban couldn't have dropped their standing that much. I mean he hasn't come after you Theo, has he?"

Theo gulped, "Well, my father wasn't the leader of that mission, so I guess the Dark Lord wasn't as displeased with him."

Leo finished eating, and noticed Draco hadn't returned. He got up and whispered, "Perhaps I should check on him."

He walked down the hallway and soon heard crying in the bathroom. He walked into the bathroom and again found Draco grasping the sink and crying as he spoke to Myrtle. Leo walked up behind him and placed his hand on his shoulder. He quickly turned him around and pulled him into a hug. "Draco, I didn't mean to upset you. I know you're under a lot of pressure. I know you're worried about your Mum. I'm worried about Mum. I know that you've been thrown into the spotlight and are hounded by cameras as the Malfoys have fallen from public favor. I know you blame Harry for Lucius ending up in Azkaban, but you need to understand that anger is displaced. It's your father's fault for serving the Dark Lord. It's your father's fault for underestimating the capabilities of seven underaged wizards and their ability to contact the Order. "

"It's Potter's fault I'm not taking N.E.W.T. level Charms this year. I was doing fine with my levitating charm until that damn Professor made a bit stink about meeting Saint Potter."

Leo pulled away with his hands still on Draco's shoulder, "No Draco, it's your fault that you didn't achieve a high enough grade on your Charms practical to continue on. You're the one who got distracted when you heard Harry's name. You're the one hiding your insecurities behind arrogance. You're the one with the inferiority complex. Why do you feel so inferior deep down, Draco? Is it because your father expects too much of you and belittles you when you didn't reach his unrealistic goals?"

Draco pushed Leo away and pulled his own hair in frustration, "Will you just shut up? I'm angry, I'm terrified, and I'm at my wits end. I cannot figure out how to do what I have to do. I'm drowning Leo. It's nothing you could understand though because your life is perfect."

"You have a choice Draco. You always have a bloody choice," Leo watched as Draco sank to his knees.

"I don't have a choice, I have to do it. If I don't do it he'll kill me and my mum."

Leo stared down at his broken twin. He wanted to take his pain away more than anything, but knew there was nothing he could do. So instead he kneeled next to him and tried to console him, "I won't allow anything to happen to Mum. I will do everything to save our family and I will do everything to save you. You're on the verge of cracking Draco. I won't lose you in any form. I won't allow you to become a lunatic. I'm stronger Draco. Please let me take your place. Please let me meet my mom. Please don't make me sit in the sidelines and watch my family suffer without helping."

Draco looked up with wide eyes, "I thought you said you couldn't be my twin."

Leo rolled his eyes, "We've actually had this conversation a couple of times, but you've freaked out, and I've been forced to Obliviate you."

Draco's eyes narrowed, "So, you're saying you're my twin. You want to take my place and do what with me exactly?"

"I want to send you to France, where you'll be safe while I fight in your place. It will give you time to recuperate, and become the person you're meant to be."

His voice went cold, "Who exactly am I supposed to be?"

"You're already a loving son. Maybe people believe you're incapable of love, much like the Dark Lord you serve, because of the insults you throw at Potter and the Weasleys. However, the way you react when someone says something about your family or to your mother, proves that you do love. You love your mother and your father. I think you need time away from this environment and time to see your parent's faults and accept them for it. You need to recognize that, yes, our mother is very loving, but she's spoiled you. I sometimes wonder if deep down, she still felt I was missing even after being Obliviated. Perhaps she made up for the loss by showering you with too many things. You've been spoiled Draco. You're used to getting your way. Also, she's raised you with the same poisonous beliefs she was raised with." He momentarily paused as he took in Draco's open mouth.

"Did you even think to wonder why I'm so close to my cousin Dora? Do you know what that's short for? Nymphadora Tonks and who are her parents? Her father is a muggle-born wizard and her mother's a pure-blood from the house of Black. Andromeda Tonks, the middle sister to Bellatrix and Narcissa. She was a Slytherin you know, but she's been disowned by her family for marrying a muggle-born wizard. It caused Great Aunt Walburga Black, who married her cousin, to burn her off of the family tapestry in the Black Family home. The Blacks have been removing family members from their family tree for a long time. One was removed for being a squib; one was removed for marrying the blood traitor Weasley, and another for running away. Ah yes Sirius was also blackened off that family tree and with his death, he passed the family home to his godson, instead of the eldest living member of the Black Family Line, which would be your favorite Aunt Bellatrix."

Draco gulped, "Why were we separated?"

Leo chuckled without humor, "What you're going to believe me this time?"

Draco's eyes widened, "I don't know. Keep talking."

Leo narrowed his eyes, "What if I could bring in a witness someone who could verify that we have the same aura?"

Draco gasped, "Who could that be?"

Leo didn't answer. He just tapped his bracelet and sent a message. I'm in the boys' bathroom with Draco down from the Great Hall. Please join us and vouch for me. I'm once again trying to reach out to my other half. He looked down at Draco, "Don't worry he's coming. I too have mastered the Protean Charm."

Draco's eyes widened, "You know? You know what I've been forced to do?"

"You mean perform all three Unforgivable Curses on a cat while being instructed by your aunt? I call her your aunt because I don't claim Bella as much as you don't claim Dromeda."

He gasped, "How did you know about that?"

"I saw the tears form in your eyes as that cat wreathed on the ground. You must've remembered that pain vividly. Perhaps you were talking about accompanying and participating with the Death Eaters when they hunted down Karkaroff and killed him. Ah yes, I believe Bella called it practice, but you couldn't kill him, could you? No, I think what you were referring to was casting the Imperious Curse on Rosmerta, and commanding her with the use of enchanted coins. Ah yes, instructing her to wait for and then Imperious Katie to bring a package with a cursed necklace back to Hogwarts with hopes it would reach Dumbledore before it was detected. You do realize it wouldn't have made it past the front gates, right?"

Draco's face turned red, "How do you know all of that?"

"I'm a dream walker, Draco. Surely you remember that. You caught me when I visited Malfoy Manor the summer before last. Surely you sensed me this summer. I was there when you were given your mission, I was there when you had lessons with Bella, and I was there when Igor died. I was in the Three Broomsticks and witnessed your interaction with Rosmerta, however I didn't figure out what you'd done until after Katie touched that necklace. You see, I knew about your detention. Not doing your homework, Draco, really?"

The color drained out of his face, "You were there. You saw firsthand. I'm not proud of any of that, you know."

"Then take my offer Draco. Let me send you away from here. Let me take your place," Leo held out his hand to help Draco up.

"You plan on killing Dumbledore?"

Before Leo could answer Theo walked into the bathroom. He announced, "You called for a witness, Leo?"

Draco gasped, "Nott, you've been working with Nott?"

Leo nodded, "So are you going to take my offer or not?"

Draco looked between the two of them, "No. This is a trap."

Leo sighed pointed his wand, "Obliviate. You don't remember me coming into the bathroom and talking with you. You don't remember Nott and you cried so hard confessing to Myrtle that you passed out." He turned to Theo, "Come on lets go. That's the last time I attempt that." The two of them walked out of the bathroom, "Next time I'm just going to Imperious him and send him away by Portkey."

A/N: Every time we think that Draco's going to find out the truth he's got to overreact and get Obliviated. Poor Draco, he's too terrified to accept help when it's offered. I think he's paranoid. Am I frustrating you yet? Are you ready to tell me off about my character and state that you're not reading anymore? Okay, I was joking about that last question. Too bad there's no way to translate sarcasm in a written format.