Chapter 2: Can we trust him?

It was the third week of September, and three quarters of the student population at Hogwarts were feeling like Christmas had come early.

After the first day of lessons, Professor Dumbledore had announced that Professor Snape was called away for a family emergency and would not be returning anytime soon. His classes would also be postponed until a replacement could be found. The majority of the students cheered unabashedly at this, and chatter immediately broke out, the main topic, of course, the cause of Snape's departure. Only the Slytherin table was subdued, and the students there exchanged many worried and puzzled glances. The other tables paid no heed, and proceeded to celebrate their newly found, if only temporary, freedom from the bat of the dungeons. Weeks later, many students were still gossiping about it.

"I didn't even know that Snape still had family," Lavender said at lunch.

"Yeah, and he doesn't seem the type to care for them, you know?" put in Parvati.

"I wonder who'll take his place for now. We still don't have Potions...not that I'm complaining," grinned Seamus.

A few places down the Gryfindor table, a different discussion was taking place.

"Harry, Ron, this is bad," whispered a worried Hermione. She was glancing at the Head table, where Dumbledore and McGonnagal were talking, both with heavy frowns on their faces.

"Why, Hermione? Snape's gone, and we don't have to suffer his bias and torture until who-knows-when? Hopefully, Dumbledore'll find a nicer replace--"

"Ron! Don't you see? Snape is on a mission for the Order!"

"Oh. But it's been about three weeks. What's he doing--?"

"Be quiet, the both of you," Harry hissed, "Let's go outside before somebody hears us."

The three of them grabbed some food and hurriedly walked out the big oak doors towards their spot by the lake. None of them noticed the sharp glance that Dumbledore threw their backs as they left, nor the suspicious glare Draco Malfoy gave them before slowly following.

Though it was only a bit after noon, it was already starting to get chilly, but the cool breeze combined with the heat of the sun created the perfect autumn weather outside. The trio walked towards the lake and sat down under their favorite beech tree.

"Dumbledore seems to be getting more worried, so maybe Snape's mission isn't going well?" Harry didn't usually ponder Snape's side job, but if the headmaster thought something was going wrong, it concerned him too.

"I dunno, and really, I don't care what happens to him, just as long as he isn't found out...or betrays us" said Ron bluntly.

Hermione shot him a scandalized look. "Ron! I know he isn't the nicest person in the world, but he's risking his life to protects everyone, even you. And don't even start about the whole whose-side-is-Snape-really-on thing." She turned to her other best friend, "What do you think, Harry? I'm scared that the reason he's not back yet is that he did get caught."

Harry's brow furrowed in thought. "But if was caught, Voldemort would have killed him right away, don't you think? And if that was the case, Dumbledore would have said something closer to the truth, not some story about a family emergency." Harry took a bite of his sandwich, chewing thoughtfully before he spoke again, "If anything, I think Snape's being held prisoner or something, and the Order is trying to figure out how to rescue him."

"But like I said, it's been weeks. How do they even know if he's still alive?"

"Because, Weasley, I've been informing the Order on Professor Snape's status." Someone appeared from behind one of the trees. Someone with platinum blonde hair, a pale face, and a permanent smirk.

"Malfoy!" exclaimed Ron, hastily getting to his feet while trying to pry his wand from his robes.

"Malfoy?" was Hermione's puzzled remark. Harry, next to her, simply looked shocked at the Slytherin currently making his way towards them.

"Get away from us unless you want to start a fight, Malfoy!" Ron threatened.

"Oooh, sooo scary Weasley. Let me know when palms should start sweating. But, contrary to the norm, I'm not here to pick a fight," said Malfoy, his smirk now only a grim line.

"What did you say about Snape?" Harry demanded, eyes narrowing suspiciously, "and did you just mention the Order?"

"Yes, Potter, I did mention the Order. I am, in fact, a member of the wonderful association. A dream come true, really." Though Draco kept his sarcasm, Hermione and Harry noticed how tired Malfoy looked. His clothes and hair were pristine as usual, but he had dark circles under his eyes and the beginnings of a permanent frown on his brow. He seemed somewhat thinner as well. Ron, meanwhile, had finally gotten his wand out and was pointing it at Draco.

"Yeah, like we believe you. I don't know how you found out about the Order, but no way are we going to trust you."

"I never asked for your trust, did I? I'm just sharing some information to help ease your little minds. But, seeing as I'm unappreciated..." Draco turned around to head back inside when,

"Wait! Malfoy, what—er—so, um...we do want to know. What happened to Snape? Where is he? Is he alright?" Hermione bit her lip. She had a feeling that Malfoy was telling the truth.

Draco, with his back still turned, smirked. I guess you do get to know a person pretty well after six years, even if they are your enemies. Stupid Granger, so easy to hook. Of course you'd want to know, can't stand not knowing anything, can you? Draco turned around, smirk gone, and said, "Meet me at the Astronomy Tower tonight at 10 and I'll tell you what I know then. Right now, I think I'll go back and finish my lunch." He turned around and started walking back.

"YOU LITTLE...LIKE WE WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING YOU HAVE TO SAY!"

"Ron, mate, just shut up. I'm going tonight whether you will or not. I want info, and I don't care where it comes from, even if it is Malfoy."

Draco nearly tripped after hearing Harry's decision. Hm. Potter might have some hope at becoming politically savvy. Maybe the Light has some hope after all. It was Hermione's remark, though, that really made Draco trip (luckily, none of the trio were watching him anymore).

"I agree with Harry. Besides, I trust Draco."

"Draco?" Harry and Ron simultaneously asked, eyebrows raised.

"I...I...oh, don't look at me like that. He's in the Order now!"

"He says he's in the Order," muttered Ron, glancing at the blonde in the distance, now gracefully walking in the giant oak doors, all evidence of falling absent.

"So, Ron, are you coming?"

"Of course I am! Besides, what will the two of you do if he decides to ambush you or something?"

Harry snorted as Hermione rolled her eyes and fondly ruffled Ron's hair. "Come on, let's go back inside."

The three of them followed Draco's path towards the castle, each with their own thoughts on their conversation with their enemy. Their former enemy, Harry realized. He looked at Hermione on his left. She was thinking deeply about something, and he had an inkling as to what, for he himself (and maybe Ron, but probably not) was thinking, What made Malfoy change sides?

Draco sat back down at the Slytherin table and as the trio came back in shortly afterward, whispering among themselves, occasionally glancing towards him, he looked at the headmaster, and gave a curt nod. Dumbledore nodded back, his expression now just slightly less burdened, and his eyes twinkling merrily.