Title:Game Without Tears

Disclaimer: I do not own, wish I did, but I don't. I only own my plot line. Full disclaimer, first chapter.

Author: ShaeLynn Teelle

All other information: See first chapter.

Polite constructive criticism welcome. FLAMES WILL BE FED TO THE DRAGON IN MY BED.

Chapter 5: Give Me the Child

Later that morning in the Great Hall, Draco watched the Gryffindor Trio with suspicion. They had their heads bent together and were whispering while casting glances about them. Most of the glances were sent towards the Slytherin table and were often accompanied by glares when the Gryffindors' eyes landed on him or the other seventh years. However, Draco also noticed that they were more discreetly glancing at the other two tables in the hall. If he hadn't been watching them so closely, he would have missed that the looks they sent to the other tables had the same calculating undertones as the looks that were sent to the Slytherin table.

He frowned at the looks, wondering what was going on with the Gryffindor trio. Because of the previous year Draco knew that there were several students in the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff houses that had close and frequent contact with Harry and his group, as well as several Gryffindors in various years, but none of them seemed to be privy to whatever conversation the three were having. Draco growled low in his throat hating that he didn't know what was going on with the group.

"Anything wrong, Draco?" Pansy asked, leaning lightly against his arm.

Draco looked at his best friend and smirked, "No. St. Potter and his posse seem to be planning something and it annoys me. Crabbe! Goyle!" the two thugs obediently stopped shoveling food into their mouths and turned to listen to Draco. "As soon as the Gryffindorks leave we follow them. I want to know what's going on in their pathetic little brains."

The two nodded and smirked with Draco, then went back to eating. Draco shook his head in disgust and returned to his own breakfast, eating much more civilly than the two across from him. Beyond the fact that they all had to keep a certain attitude about themselves, they also couldn't show their true friendships to anyone else, even the rest of Slytherin house. Their attitudes could not waver as they each had their own part to play in the deception. What a Slytherin really thought was not to be voiced or acted upon as the shadow of parents and Death Eaters hung over them without reprieve.

Draco thought about his two friends that acted as bodyguards for himself. They really were as thick as they acted in most classes. There was nothing that could change that and Draco had to tutor them secretly at night just so they would pass the classes they took each year, but their loyalty to him often reminded Draco of what was said about the Hufflepuff's house. He also knew that their loyalty to him was stronger than their loyalty to Voldemort would ever be and they would never betray him, even under torture. Draco would trust them and their judgment with his very life and did so every day.

He glanced at Pansy from the corner of his eye where she sat talking to Millicent on her other side. It had been one month exactly since she had been initiated into Voldemort's circle. If it had been her father that Voldemort had decided needed to die instead of her mother, she wouldn't have to fear every meeting that was called. Voldemort was not nearly as lenient with women as he was with men. Draco remembered what he had learned shortly after he had been initiated about how Voldemort viewed a woman's worth.

Millicent had been initiated two weeks after Draco had become Voldemort's right-hand man, taking his father's place. New initiates usually never saw others' initiations until they reached Voldemort's inner circle, which many never accomplished, but his place at Voldemort's side allowed him the privilege of seeing what other initiates went through immediately, though he had not been forced to participate until much later. Millicent's initiation had not been pretty and when Pansy, whom he had known almost since birth, had told him of her impeding meeting with Voldemort, crying, he had nearly cracked, knowing he would have to watch, unable to help her.

He had brought Vincent and Gregory, whom had been initiated mere days after he was, into an abandoned classroom with Pansy. They had carefully explained what was going on and what Draco was trying to do. They wouldn't ask Millicent because they knew that while she didn't like her treatment, she was one hundred percent on Voldemort's side. There would be no swaying her just as there was no way they could sway Theodore Nott to their cause.

Pansy had agreed to help instantly, knowing what the alternative outcome was in the long run and had begun getting information from Millicent by offering a comforting body after some of the worst meetings. In the weeks between the start of seventh year and her initiation, Pansy and Vincent had gotten closer than simple friends and he became the shoulder that she leaned on after meetings, though if she was extraordinarily upset she still went to Draco for comfort as she had since they had first met as toddlers.

Then, Draco's mind was brought back to the present when he saw the Gryffindor trio rise from their table, "Crabbe, Goyle, finish now."

His two bodyguards looked up at him, then, obediently swallowed what was in their mouths, took a last gulp of pumpkin juice, and rose from the table.

"I will see you in a little while, Pansy," Draco said and leaned over, lightly kissing the Slytherin girl on the corner of her upper lip.

"You'd better, Dragon," Pansy said softly so only he heard and went back to her conversation with Millicent.

The three Slytherins left the Great Hall and followed the Gryffindors down to the dungeons, keeping enough distance between them that the trio wouldn't become suspicious. Draco listened closely to the Gryffindors, easily blocking out the useless conversation Vincent and Gregory were having as cover.

\/\/\/\/\/

"The Hufflepuffs don't seem to be too interested in anything out of the ordinary," Ron said quietly, leaning close to Hermione who stood between him and Harry.

"But the Ravenclaws kept sending glances towards you, Harry. And there were more people than usual greeting Luna and Padma," Hermione added just as quietly.

"But what could he be offering them that they would consider joining him?" Harry asked, watching the ground.

"Information. Think about it," Hermione answered, looking between her two friends. "Ravenclaws are known for their minds and their thirst for knowledge. Offer a Ravenclaw information that they would be unable to obtain on their own. Then, somehow get them to believe that no one else would be able to help them obtain this information. There are many Ravenclaws that want knowledge so badly that they would jump at the bait. And there are quite a few Ravenclaws that are Muggle-born amongst the pure-bloods. That, combined with the knowledge of what would happen to them if they turned traitor, well…"

All three were quiet after that until they reached the doorway to the Potions classroom, "I have a meeting tonight. I'll let the Headmaster know what we've found out. Remember, we can't attempt anything without his approval. No one wants a repeat of what happened fifth year."

\/\/\/\/\/

Draco stopped Vincent and Gregory as soon as the Gryffindor trio went through the door and into the Potions classroom. "You'll be late to meet Pansy for studying."

The two left to find Pansy as she was helping them study for their NEWT level Care of Magical Creatures class. As soon as he heard other students approaching Draco entered the classroom, taking his usual place at the center of the front row. He sneered when he saw the trio sitting at the back row of tables in their usual spots.

There were only three more Slytherins that entered the potions classroom, Blaise Zabini, Tracey Davis, and Daphne Greengrass. He barely knew the two girls as he had never needed to work with them, but Blaise was helping him to keep watch over Millicent and Theodore. Three Hufflepuffs entered after the three Slytherins and took their usual places beside the Gryffindors. Following them were the seven Ravenclaws in the class, there had been eight, but Morag MacDougal was no longer among them. Professor Snape swept into the room in his usual manner of black robes billowing behind him and turned sharply to face the class when he reached his desk.

"Today you will be making the Pepper-Up potion. The ingredients are listed on page 135 through 137. Begin."

Halfway through the list of ingredients Draco noticed that one of the ingredients had a second word written after it. He had no idea what the word was and raised his hand, unknowingly calling Snape's attention away from Potter.

"Professor Snape, what does this other word mean?"

"Pinednekgron? It means ground black pine needles, which is exactly what this says," Snape answered and pointed to the line before that read, 'ground black pine needles' and frowned at Draco's emotionless gaze.

"That makes sense, Professor, however, why is this here," Draco pointed to the new word, "When it is already written before it?"

"Mr. Malfoy, as this potion should take the majority of the class period and you have yet to start, I suggest asking your questions after class unless they specifically refer to the actual brewing of this potion."

Snape turned away to torment Harry and Draco glared at his book for a moment before preparing his ingredients, all of which were part of the advanced student kits. He let the questions he wanted to ask fester in the back of his mind until class was over. After all the potions were bottled and placed on Snape's desk, the tables were cleaned and Draco approached the Professor's desk. Snape didn't look up from whatever he was writing.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy, you had a question on why there was a second word that meant the same as what had already been written. Potions were previously written in a different language, one that was unique to potions and came from a time before any alive could remember. Give this to Madam Pince. She will find you this book and it should explain anything else you wish to know," Snape said, handing Draco a piece of parchment before turning back to his other work, dismissing the student.

Draco stared at the note for a moment, rereading the name of the book. He left the potions classroom and headed directly to the library, his outward appearance its usual calm indifference. Draco anxiously handed the note to the librarian and waited as she went into her office to retrieve the book. When she returned she handed the book to Draco and simply said to be careful with it as it was nearly a century old. He looked at the book in disbelief. The covers were perfect, the pages crisp and unfaded.

"Yes, I know that it doesn't look old, but if you damage that book in any way, even you would not believe the cost, Mr. Malfoy," Madam Pince said having caught the way he looked at the book.

Draco nodded and carefully placed the book in his bag. Then he left the library, feeling Madam Pince's curious gaze following him. He walked down to the Slytherin dormitories and into the Head Boy's room there. He sat on his bed and looked at the book when he pulled it from his bag, staring at the title in silver letters, Mo'ti Ta'skan.

\/\/\/\/\/

An hour later there was a knock on the door and Draco reluctantly allowed his attention to be taken away from the open books upon his bed, "Yes?"

"It's lunch time," came Vincent's voice, muffled by the door.

"Give me a moment," Draco said as he slipped everything into his bag.

Then, he left the dorm and went with Vincent down to the common room. There, they met up with Pansy, Gregory, and, curiously, Daphne Greengrass. Pansy played her part and clutched onto Draco's arm as they left the dormitories.

She leaned against him and quietly spoke in his ear, "We need a meeting tonight, privately."

"Portraits, eight o'clock after Quidditch practice," Draco said as though to thin air.

Pansy nodded, still leaning against him as the group continued to the Great Hall.

\/\/\/\/\/

In an unused corridor where even the torches refused to light themselves and the heat was minimal, a dark figure slipped behind a tapestry that hung from floor to ceiling with a length of over four meters. The tapestry heavily fell back into its place with hardly a ripple to show it had moved.

Behind the tapestry was an alcove barely big enough for two people to squeeze in to it and still be able to breath. In this alcove was a series of small Muggle paintings, totaling seven in all. Four of the portraits were the four founders of Hogwarts. The other three had never been identified by any that had seen the alcove. The room beyond didn't even require a password. One knock on the wall and it swung inwards to reveal a small room beyond with a fireplace and an old, scarred table, nothing more.

When the wall swung inwards at the figure's knock, it revealed four Slytherins standing or sitting about the room. Pansy sat on the table, her crossed ankles slowly swinging beneath her while Vincent stood nearby. Gregory sat on the flagstones of the fireplace where a small fire was already burning and Daphne Greengrass sat leaning against him, staring into the flames. Draco pulled off his black cloak and set it on the pile of cloaks already near the door.

"You called for a meeting, Pans?"

"Yes, I called the meeting. Greg," Pansy said quietly and tipped her head in Gregory's direction.

"Dragon, you know that I have been meeting with Daphne Greengrass," he said, indicating the girl next to him. "For the last month to… study. Daph, tell Dragon what you told me."

"My father sent me a letter this morning. I am to be initiated in early December. I know what will happen and… I don't think I'll be able to get through it on my own." Daphne started talking faster, her fear beginning to show as her eyes filled with tears, "I don't want to be initiated. I don't want to be a toy for Voldemort's pleasure. I don't… I don't want to be raped," Daphne's voice had quieted down to barely a whisper and she hung her head as the tears started rolling down her face.

"You do realize there is no way to get out of going through this unless you decide to defect and side with Dumbledore, hoping he will protect you. Then, you will face being disowned besides having the Snake out for your blood because of the secrets you may know," Draco said calmly, the other three watching him.

"I know, but I can't abandon my sister. She's only a second year, but Father wants her initiated as soon as possible. If I desert I'm afraid he's going to insist that my sister take my place. I'll do everything I can to keep her from that. I don't want her to ever go through that! Even if I have to." Then, Daphne looked up at Draco, sudden realization and fear spreading across her face at whom she had just told her wishes to, "Please, don't say anything to Voldemort. He'll kill me, I know that!"

"I won't tell anyone, Daphne. I couldn't reveal what you don't want known because I'd be revealing the same things that we're all hiding. You said that if it meant keeping your sister from ever being initiated and could help stop the Snake, you would allow yourself to be brought into the Death Eater ranks, even with what you'll have to go through. Would you be willing to spy for the light side?"

"I would, but you're the one that tells Voldemort about the spies. If I do that you'll tell him and it won't matter," she said, wary and confused, her voice filled with despair at what she thought could be her death.

"Let me explain some things to you, Daphne. I know that you are aware of how many Death Eaters have been betraying the Snake lately."

"Yes, my father said that it seemed as soon as one was executed another deserts," Daphne said quietly, mistrust in her eyes as she watched every move Draco made.

"None of them were spies for Dumbledore. Most of them were spies against the Order, like MacDougal. Others were simply the worst of the group, and anyone that won't be missed is already in Azkaban for being captured during failed attacks."

"But if they weren't spies," Daphne began quietly, confusion on her face. "Why were all the Death Eater attacks failing if there wasn't an actual spy?"

"Oh, there was a spy. I don't mean Professor Snape, although it's true that he was discovered at the start of the summer and nearly killed," Pansy said calmly, relaxing on the table, her feet still swinging over the edge. "There's actually a group of spies that listen for any plan that can be spoiled. There are members in all the major areas of the Death Eater ranks, even the Inner Circle."

"How come they haven't been caught yet? I heard my father saying that you had revealed some of the spies, but you're telling me that they weren't spies and you all know who the spies are?" Daphne asked, turning to Draco.

"I told the Snake they were spies, yes. But as I said, they were not the actual spies that keep interfering with the Snake's attacks. I couldn't have turned the real spies in as there would be none of us here right now."

"You're the spies?" Daphne asked incredulously as she looked at each person in the room. When her eyes landed on Gregory he nodded slowly and after a minute a calculating look came over her face, "Why would you tell me this if it were true? I could just go to my father and tell him what I know. How do you even know that everything I've said hasn't been a lie?"

"Did Greg offer you something to drink before bringing you here?"

Daphne nodded, then her eyes grew wide and she glared accusingly at Gregory as she pulled away from him, "What did you give me?"

Gregory just watched her while Draco answered, "A mild truth serum. It heightens your emotions, loosens your inhibitions minutely, and makes you want to tell the truth. You can still lie under its influence, but a lie would be noticeable to us since it was used on everyone here."

"What would stop me from going to my father and telling him what you've told me in exchange for my younger sister and I to be left alone by the Death Eaters?"

"Do you really believe your father would agree to let you be, especially when you bring him such information? What's to stop me from going straight to the Snake with your own words? What's to stop me from ensuring that your sister, whom you plainly love, is initiated before her next birthday? I am trusting you because you would never have mentioned any of your wishes to Greg if you were not against the Snake as much as you are. The rest of us in this room trust each other with our lives. We have to. There's no one else we can go to that would believe us right now," Draco answered without pause, his voice softening at the end.

Daphne nodded her head slowly, "I understand and I won't betray you. No matter what happens, what I have to do, I won't betray you."

"Would you be willing to spy for the light side, gather information in any way you can, as we do? Pansy will help you when you're there and we'll help you afterwards, no matter if you never learn anything of value or you replace Pans as the Snake's favorite. It is your decision, Daph. I know there is not much of a choice and it's hard, but even if you decide not to spy with us, we'll try to help protect both you and your sister."

Daphne pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms about them, leaning back against Gregory again. For a moment there was silence in the air, then she spoke quietly, determination burning in her eyes, "I'll spy with you. Teach me what I need to do, don't abandon me to what is going to happen, and I'll do anything I can to stop the Snake from winning."

"Welcome to the group, Daph," Gregory said quietly and lightly wrapped his arms about her.

She turned and smiled slightly up at him before returning to staring into the fire. Pansy jumped down from the table and sat on the other side of Daphne. She put her arm about the other's shoulders and squeezed lightly. Pansy didn't say anything, just accompanied Daphne in her silence, guessing most of what was running through the girl's mind as they were the same thoughts that had gone through her own mind when she had first learned of her impending initiation and had agreed to help Draco in his efforts to defeat the Snake.

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