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-Six – Apparition, Poisoned Mead, and McLaggen

The new term started. Time moved by quickly between homework and making plans to get Draco out of the country. Leo already asked Dumbledore if he could make a portkey to the woods, outside French Village near the cottage, he grew up in. He would then have Elaine and Luke make one for him to send Draco there. He planned on visiting them and explaining the situation over Easter Break. He was looking forward to the twelve week Apparition course, which anyone turning seventeen before August 31 was allowed to attend. Leo automatically signed up as he knew he'd need to pass the test. He'd probably have to apparate away if things went wrong and Dumbledore did end up dead.

Soon he was standing in the great hall with the rest of the Sixth years who were taking lessons. He looked around the room and found Theo and Fay in the back corner of the room. He stood near them as they all listened to the directions. He concentrated on the three D's destination, the hoop in front of him, determination, his yearning to be standing in that hoop, and turning on the spot to move with deliberation. He turned around in a circle and fell to the floor. The first lesson wasn't successful for most of the students. However, Susan Bones had managed to end up in the hoop, but left her leg behind. It was explained that splinching occurred when one's mind isn't properly determined.

With the additional lessons February soon turned to March and with it meant another Hogsmeade trip was scheduled. However, as the trip neared a sign appeared on the Gryffindor billboard informing everyone the trip was canceled. Ron seemed especially bummed by the news, as the trip apparently landed on his birthday. Leo and Nott didn't meet up as often as he and Fay were hanging out more and more. So, on the evening of Ron's birthday Leo wandered the forest in his animal form alone at twilight. He was walking through the forest when he overheard a conversation between Snape and Dumbledore. He remained hidden in the tree line as he eavesdropped. His hearing always improved when he was in his lion form.

"What are you doing with Potter, all these evenings you are closeted together?"* Snape drawl sounded.

Dumbledore's weary voice responded, "Why? You aren't trying to give him more detentions, Severus? The boy will soon have spent more time in detention than out."*

"He is his father over again-"*

"In looks, perhaps, but his deepest nature is much more like his mother's. I spend time with Harry because I have things to discuss with him, information I must give him before it is too late."

"Information," Snape's emotionless voice repeated. "You trust him…you do not trust me."*

"It is not a question of trust. I have, as we both know, limited time. It is essential that I give the boy enough information for him to do what he needs to do."*

"And why may I not have the same information?"*

"I prefer not to put all of my secrets in one basket, particularly not a basket that spends so much time dangling on the arm of Lord Voldemort."*

"Which I do on your orders!"*

"And you do it extremely well. Do not think that I underestimate the constant danger in which you place yourself, Severus. To give Voldemort what appears to be valuable information while withholding the essentials is a job I would entrust to nobody but you."*

"Yet you confide much more in a boy who is incapable of Occlumency, whose magic is mediocre, and who has a direct connection into the Dark Lord's mind!"*

"Voldemort fears that connection. Not so long ago he had one small taste of what truly sharing Harry's mind means to him. It was pain such as he has never experienced. He will not try to possess Harry again, I'm sure of it. Not in that way."*

"I don't understand,"* Snape's drawl almost sounded flustered.

"Lord Voldemort's soul, maimed as it is, cannot bear close contact with a soul like Harry's. Like tongue on frozen steel, like flesh in flame-"*

"Souls? We're talking about minds!"*

"In the case of Harry and Lord Voldemort, to speak of one is to speak of the other."*

Leo's heartbeat quickened. His mind quickly absorbed Dumbledore's statement and he knew that Harry's connection to Voldemort was similar to his connection to Draco. He continued to turn the facts over in his mind as he peered out and noticed Dumbledore was looking around. They had gotten closer to the tree line where he hid. "After you have killed me, Severus-"*

"You refuse to tell me everything, yet you expect that small service of me!" Snape Snarled. Leo craned his head as he heard heavy foot falls behind him. He saw Hagrid coming out of the forest. He stopped and seemed to listen as Snape continued, "You take a great deal for granted, Dumbledore! Perhaps I have changed my mind!"*

"You gave me your word, Severus. And while we are talking about services you owe me, I thought you agreed to keep a close eye on our young Slytherin friend?" They were close enough for Leo to see Snape's face showed as much anger, as it had when Umbridge was asking him why he never received the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Dumbledore sighed. "Come to my office tonight, Severus, at eleven, and you shall not complain that I have no confidence in you…."*

The two of them walked away and Hagrid walked out of the forest with his crossbow in hand. He had a furrowed brow and he walked toward the castle. Leo sat down on his haunches as he reviewed the conversation he overheard. One, Dumbledore had a limited amount of time; his mind quickly went back to his blackened hand. He wondered if Dumbledore had somehow encountered a very dark curse. Two, Snape had promised to kill Dumbledore, so Snape was planning on completing Draco's task for him, and three, Dumbledore accused him of not doing a good job at keeping an eye on Draco. Did something else happen? Did someone else get hurt? Leo transformed back and tapped his bracelet. Has another student been injured? He walked back toward the castle when his bracelet warmed he checked it. Yeah, the rumor is that Ron's in the Infirmary because of poisoned Mead. I heard that it was meant to be a Christmas gift for Dumbledore. Draco looked pretty sick when he heard.

Leo rubbed his eyes. He fought the urge to check that bathroom to see if Draco was there. He had promised himself he wouldn't attempt to talk to Draco again, but another student was hurt, and that student happened to be the Keeper for their Quidditch team. He walked up to the common room instead. He would need to talk with Snape and Dumbledore. He needed to ask for the portkey to visit and make plans for the switch. Frankly, Harry would need another ally on the other side, if Dumbledore was dying and set on having Snape kill him instead. He rubbed his weary eyes as he walked up the stairs to his dorm. The information he discovered weighted heavy on his heart. He knew that by killing Dumbledore, Snape would fully take on the villain role. His life would be even more dangerous because death would come for him from both sides. It was likely that he'd be dead before the war was over. He'd be dead and written into history as the bad guy. Leo vowed on to one day make sure Snape's true story was told. He and Nott had already started making plans to insure it, even if the wretched Rita Skeeter got her hands on his story, the history books would have the correct story.

Leo didn't have much time to give any of the conversation he overheard much more thought. He was too busy between Apparition Classes; he'd managed to apparate once, regular school work, and Quidditch Practice. He quickly hated McLaggen with each practice. Apparently, the well connected young man thought he knew everything about Quidditch. Leo was sure McLaggen thought he should've been captain rather than Harry even though he'd never played on the house team before.

Ron was still in the hospital when the game against Hufflepuff occurred. Leo had a bad feeling about the game, as soon as he and the rest of the team were on the pitch, but Harry had yet to arrive. When he showed up late, Ginny asked where he was. He didn't seem too happy to find McLaggen giving directions to the other teammates. So, a high part of the game was that Luna Lovegood was the announcer, and she made some rather funny observations regarding Smith. Soon Hufflepuff scored because McLaggen was too busy criticizing his teammates to guard his rings. When Harry started yelling at him, McLaggen pointed out that Harry should be looking for the Snitch. Leo and Ginny managed to score two goals against the Hufflepuff, but they couldn't keep up with the amount of goals the narcissistic dunderhead was letting in. So, at some point the self proclaimed Quidditch God decided to grab the beater bat from Peakes and was demonstrating how to hit the Bludger at Caldwallader but mishit and knocked Harry out with the Bludger, as he was flying toward him yelling at him to get back to his goal post.

Leo wanted to beat McLaggen to a bloody pulp, but would settle on cursing him to lose all of his hair. Yeah that jinx really wasn't dark, but it would be very affective on a vain person like him. The Gryffindor Quidditch team was up the creek without a Captain, a Seeker, and no alternates, so that someone could actually attempt to catch the snitch. Without a captain, they couldn't end the game without the snitch being caught. Harry was rushed off to the Infirmary, since he was unconscious and fell hard on the Quidditch pitch. When the Snitch was finally caught by Summerby, the game was lost a measly sixty to three hundred and twenty. As soon as McLaggen landed on the pitch, Leo whipped out his wand and demanded that he draw his wand and face him, and he shot off his balding jinx before McLaggen could even draw his wand. He added, "That's for being a dolt and knocking out our seeker when you had no right to be wielding a beater's bat to begin with. I'm sure that you'll never play on the house team again. You landed our Captain and Seeker in the hospital wing you conceited, arrogant, git!"

He then quickly walked of the pitch. He didn't care if that act got him a detention, he'd gladly serve it. He heard Pansy yell as she ran up to him, "Hey Leo, you're in the Slug Club, right?"

He turned narrowing his eyes at the bouncing dark haired girl, "Just because you were able to charm my idiotic clone doesn't mean your charms will work on me. I see you for exactly what you are, and I have no interest in you. Why don't you go back to the new Prince of Slytherin, Zabini? I think you two are perfect for each other. By the way, hasn't anyone warned you about trying to hit on an incensed Quidditch player right after his team lost because of a dolt like McLaggen?"

"I just really miss Draco, and I was hoping that you'd-"

Leo growled, "You thought wrong. Now, leave before I hit you with that same balding jinx. It's one that I invented, so I don't think anyone knows the counter jinx." She squeaked and walked away. Leo let out a roar and punched the castle wall with a sickening crunch. It didn't take long for the pain to hit, and he was quite sure he'd succeeded in breaking his hand. He marched up to the hospital wing quite sure Madam Pomfrey would give him a lecture.

He stood there in the Infirmary holding his bloody and broken right hand in his left. Harry and Ron were both lying in beds and Harry was still unconscious. He called, "Madam Pomfrey, my anger got the best of me, and I discovered the castle wall is much harder than my balled first."

The schools healer walked out of her office wearing white nun like outfit. She looked down at his broken hand and shook her head, "Self inflicted wounds always seem to occur after a bad Quidditch defeat."

Leo gritted his teeth, "Yeah well, you should be happy that I punched the wall instead of McLaggen's face, like I wanted to. Oh and you should be happy that I didn't cause some major harm to the pug faced snit, Pansy Parkinson, who didn't understand that I wasn't interested in her. So yeah, I'm much happier with my broken hand, given the circumstances, and my elevated irritation."

Her eyes widened, "Do you usually have these bouts of anger?"

Leo thought about it for a moment, "No, it usually takes much more than the events of today for my temper to flare. I haven't been handling any sneezewort or any other ingredients for the Befuddlement Draught. I don't know why I'd have a flare like that." His mind continued to whirl. He couldn't help but wonder if he was channeling another person's anger. Had something happened to set Draco off? Didn't he hear Harry say something about bumping into Draco on his way out? "I'm not feeling so well. Do you think I could rest in here for a bit?"

"Oh, I think you might be suffering from a bit of shock. Here lay down, and I will fix the injuries to your hand. Oh ,you managed to crush some of this bone so severely that you'll need a little Skele-Gro, and it might be good if you stay overnight."

"Thanks," Leo murmured lying in the bed next to Harry. Ron was on the other side of Harry. He closed his eyes, and automatically found Draco in the Room of Hidden Things. He was red faced, screaming, and throwing empty cooking sherry bottles against the stone wall with one hand, and had a letter in the other. Leo approached the other hand and attempted to read the note. It was another threat and a piece of white blond hair was affixed to the paper. Their mother's hair and the note were from Fenrir. That werewolf was threatening their mother if he didn't get in on this mission. Leo gasped, "Your threat to Borgin. He must've let it slip when Fenrir ended up in his store for a different reason. You idiot!"

Draco paled and stared at the spirit form of Leo, "What the hell are you?"

"A figment of your imagination due to your rage induced hallucination. You may wish to visit the Hospital Wing and get a good night's sleep," Leo quickly woke himself up. He looked over to realize that Harry had finally woken up and was conversing with Ron about the game. He piped in, "Yep, he's bald now. No one knows how to remove the jinx. I really hope he enjoys early onset male pattern baldness."

Harry looked over, "What are you doing here?"

Leo shook his head, "I lost my temper and punched a wall, but I think I'm feeling better now." He got up out of bed as Draco walked in. The circles under his eyes were darker and his skin was sicklier looking than before. He took one look at Leo and walked away with his fists clenched. Leo sighed, "Maybe not." He climbed back into the hospital bed.

The following week, Leo managed to get a meeting with Dumbledore, and discuss leaving for Easter Break which started the following day. Dumbledore looked over his half-moon spectacles, "So, your plan is to put Draco under house arrest in France, while you take his place over here, and provide Harry with a second spy in the Death Eater camp?"

Leo grimaced, "Yes sir. You're going to be leaving him soon to whatever job you've given him. He's going to be confused, and Snape will be blamed by everyone for your upcoming death. I just want to make sure in the end that Harry wins, and if I can manage it, I'd like to see my family remain intact. I understand the reason why my family is caught in the middle of this war is because of my father's poor decisions in his youth, however part of me hopes he'll have an opportunity to redeem himself."

Dumbledore tossed him a necklace with a pendent on it. There was a button on the pendent, "Press the button to activate the portkey. When you're ready to return hit the button and you'll return to my office. Remember to not be away for too long."

Leo nodded, "Thanks Headmaster." He pressed the button and felt the pull as he arrived in the woods near the small Muggle French Village. He quickly transformed into a lion and ran toward the cottage he'd called home for most of his life. He transformed back when he reached the door and knocked.

Elaine opened the door and pulled him into a tight hug, "Oh Leo, we've missed you. What are you doing here?"

Leo felt tears forming in his eyes, "I've come to ask the two of you a favor. I'm sure you know the Dark Lord has risen. Lucius is in prison and Draco's been made a Death Eater and given a mission he cannot fulfill. I'm telling you this because I plan on sending him here and taking his place. Do you think you could handle a tortured seventeen year old? He's already looking quite pale, thin, and has dark circles under his eyes."

Luke arrived into the room, "We're both skilled with magic. I think we can handle him. When should we expect him?"

"He will arrive shortly after our seventeenth birthday by portkey. Speaking of which do you think you could create one that will land him in my old bedroom?"

Luke took The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain off of the shelf and waved his wand over it, "When you're ready to send him here just tap it three times to activate it."

Leo took the book, "Thanks for doing this for me. I'm the person I am because of you, the two of you. I hope Draco will become a better person from staying with you two for a while. I've tried to tell him the truth about me several times this year, but he wouldn't believe it. I've had to Obliviate him. Do you still have the pensive full of Dora and Dromeda's memories of what happened that day?"

Elaine pointed to the device on the shelf, "They're still in the pensive."

Leo smiled, "Good, perhaps you should add some of your memories of me growing up and the visits from my aunt and cousin. I think you should show them to him after he's recovered. Also my journal is on my nightstand. I'm sure he'll start reading it as soon as he realizes what it is. So, hopefully by the time he's fully recovered, he will become the brother with whom I can be proud."

Luke squeezed his shoulder, "It's good to see you Leo. I understand what you're planning to do is going to be very dangerous, but try to stay safe. I want to see you and Gabrielle get married one day."

Leo chuckled, "I've been writing to her. Have you been keeping in contact with the Delacours?"

Elaine smiled, "They are such a nice couple and I hear that Fleur is in England right now and engaged to get married to Bill Weasley. Do you know him?"

"Yes, he's the eldest brother of a friend. When Draco gets here, could you please write to Gabrielle and tell her everything about me and Draco. See if she could come and visit. I think he might need a friend while he's here."

"Absolutely," Luke smiled.

"I've got to go. I will see you as soon as the wars over." He waved and pressed the button on the necklace. He felt the familiar pull of a portkey and landed back in Dumbledore's office.

"Everything prepared."

"Yes, soon our young Slytherin friend will be vacationing in France." He held up the book, "Perhaps he'll find some enlightenment from this book."

A/N: So, we're starting to get to the climax of this story. We have Draco receiving threats from someone different than the Dark Lord. He can't manage to fix the cabinet because unbeknownst to him, Snape is sabotaging his work. What shall happen next?

*All dialog is from chapter twenty-three of The Deathly Hallows (2007) and thus belongs to JK Rowling. Pages 684-685 of my paperback copy respectively. This conversation is paraphrased to Harry in chapter nineteen of The Half Blood Prince (2005).