Chapter 5
Before Draco returned to school, he was officially presented his mission. I stood by him while he motionlessly examined the vanishing cabinet. I knew he wasn't ready for this. I could see it in his face. But he had no choice. He was doing this to save his life, and I knew he secretly wanted to make his father proud.
Over the year, as Draco worked on fixing the Hogwarts' vanishing cabinet, he made many attempts to destroy Dumbledore. To give him help in any way I could, I fed him suggestions. He had fought Snape's interference every step of the way, but mine he welcomed. But the cursed necklace from Borgin and Burkes and the poisoned mead were both intercepted. Eventually, it seemed Draco's only option, was to curse Dumbledore with his wand. How he was ever going to corner Dumbledore alone was impossible to say. I didn't know Dumbledore's ways. Snape would, if only Draco would accept his help.
I met my son in Hogsmeade near the Hogs Head one day after his failed attempts. We had met there other times while we'd been trying other methods to kill Dumbledore. I had nothing else to offer him, other than the reminder of what Snape promised.
"I don't want to listen to him!" my son had said through his teeth, fighting back tears. He was angry that I couldn't help him further. "He's not father!"
"He's your best chance," I told him, reaching for his hand.
"No!" Draco growled, slapping my hand away and turning from me. "This is my task." Arguing with him more would do no good. He was his father's son. But I couldn't stand to see him in so much anguish.
"Focus on the cabinet," I told him. "It's more important." If Draco truly had no way of killing his headmaster, the vow would make Snape step in. In truth, I had always wanted it to be Snape. I didn't want my son to be a killer.
In the end, it was Snape. Draco had found a way to get Dumbledore alone. And he had almost succeeded in killing him. But in the end, Snape did it. And I was ever so grateful.