Change In A Star's Alignment
Chapter 4:
Harry and Malfoy reached the Gargoyles leading to the Headmaster's office when Harry realized he didn't know the password. Harry swore under his breath. He was about to tell Malfoy he didn't know the password, when a voice behind them made him and Malfoy both jump.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Malfoy" Snape said, "What, might I ask, are the two of you doing out of bed at this time of night?"
"Sir," Harry started, "we need to speak to Dumbledore right away. It's urgent Sir!"
Snape looked long and hard at Harry and Malfoy, then apparently deciding they were telling the truth, he said, "Fine, but I am coming with you."
Harry looked over to Malfoy to see if he was okay with Snape coming with them. Malfoy stared at Harry for a little while before he gave Harry one small, barely noticeable nod. Harry turned to Snape and said, "Okay Sir, lead the way".
Snape turned towards the Gargoyles and said the password. The Gargoyles jumped out of the way and Snape went first with Harry and Malfoy trailing closely behind him. Harry was walking behind Malfoy and started to notice that, the closer they got to Dumbledore's office, the slower Malfoy would walk. Harry put his hand on the small of Malfoy's back, making him keep up with Snape. Malfoy tensed a little, but then slowly began to relax and calm himself.
Finally, they reached the door to the Headmaster's office. Snape took a moment to look back at the two boys with his brows furrowed in thought. Then he turned back to the door and knocked. Malfoy was straightening his robes out when a voice came from within the office "Enter" Dumbledore said. The door opened and Snape entered right away. Malfoy glanced at Harry, a question in his eyes. Harry, understanding that Malfoy was asking if he should really be doing this, gave him a small smile and a nod. Malfoy then straightened himself out, bringing him to his full height and walked into the office with an air of confidence. Harry followed in after him.
Harry noticed Dumbledore was staring at Malfoy with a look of mild confusion. He obviously did not expect to see Malfoy, of all people, in his office at this time of night. After studying Malfoy for another minute, he looked over to Harry, and Harry saw the look of confusion become even more pronounced on the old man's face. Harry had never seen the Headmaster so confused before and he found it quite amusing. The smile that was starting on Harry's face was quickly stopped, however, once he looked over at Malfoy and remembered why they had come here in the first place. After what seemed like an eternity of silence, but was probably only a minute or two, Dumbledore spoke. "So Severus, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I'm not actually sure myself. I found these two," he pointed towards Harry and Malfoy, "in the corridor. They said they needed to speak with you. That it was urgent."
"Ah," said Dumbledore, "So they were not caught fighting?"
"No" said Snape simply.
"Well then," Dumbledore said, clapping his hands together, "I believe I know why these two sought me out this evening. You may go Severus" he finished with a small smile.
"But Albus-,"
"No arguing Severus, I need to speak with these two alone. I will send for you if you are needed." Dumbledore said with an air of finality that clearly told Snape that he was dismissed.
Snape turned away from the Headmaster and walked towards the office door. He gave Harry a glare as he walked past him. Snape opened the door with a flick of his wand and strode out the door, his robes swirling behind him.
Dumbledore closed and locked the door with a tiny flick of his wand and then motioned for Harry and Malfoy to sit down. Harry started towards the chairs right away, but he saw Malfoy hesitate. Harry moved towards him and put his hand on Malfoy's arm. Malfoy jumped a little in surprise but quickly composed himself and gracefully made his way to one of the chairs opposite Dumbledore. To anyone else, Malfoy would seem calm, cool and collected. But Harry knew better. He noticed how Malfoy was playing with the sleeve of his robe, or how the blonde would tap his thumb on the arm rest of his chair. Wait, Harry thought, since when did I start paying so much attention to Malfoy? He didn't have much time to ponder that however, because Dumbledore started speaking.
"Well then," he started, "I believe I know why the two of you are here."
"You do?" Harry asked.
"You are here, I believe, because, and correct me if I'm wrong, but because Mr. Malfoy, here, does not wish to fulfill his task and would like to switch sides. Am I correct in believing such?" Dumbledore asked.
"How did you know that?" Harry asked bewildered.
"Why else would the two of you seek me out if it has nothing to do with you fighting?" Dumbledore asked with a smile. "Anyways," he continued, "I will, Mr. Malfoy, help you out and accept you onto our side."
At this, Malfoy finally stopped drumming his thumb on the arm rest, with a look of complete shock on his face. "But Sir," Malfoy said, "you don't understand. You wouldn't be this accepting if you knew what my task was". With this said, Malfoy would not look up from his hands which were currently clasped together in his lap.
"Actually, Mr. Malfoy, I do in fact know that your task was to kill me."
Malfoy's head shot up to look at Dumbledore. "You knew? But why didn't you try to stop me? Or kick me out of the school?"
"Because," Dumbledore said, suddenly very serious, "I know what would have happened to you had you gone home without completing your task".
Harry watched as Malfoy shivered when Dumbledore spoke of the consequences of his failure. Malfoy still looked pale and was pulling on his sleeve, but Harry saw that he had a look of hope in his gray eyes. But even still, it was a cautious hope. It was like Malfoy didn't want to let himself hope in case it wasn't true, but he couldn't help but hope just a little bit. "So you'll still help me?" Malfoy asked cautiously.
Dumbledore gave him a genuine smile then and said, "Yes, of course I will help you".
Harry, who had been silent throughout the whole exchange, spoke up. "Professor Dumbledore, there's something else that is very urgent that we need to speak about."
"And what would that be Harry?" Dumbledore prompted.
"Well, you see Sir, Malfoy's mother will be in danger if they find out Malfoy's switched sides."
"So what do you suggest we do Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well," Harry started, "We'll need to tell Snape every-"
"Professor Snape, Harry" Dumbledore corrected.
"Right, well, Professor Snape, needs to be informed of everything that has happened. That way, he can go to Malfoy Manor and get Narcissa. I mean, it won't seem weird if Snape goes there because they all believe he's on their side. Then, a day or two later, she can use a portkey to get to Hogsmeade where we will meet her."
"Impressive Harry," Dumbledore said with a gleam in his eye.
Harry blushed slightly at the praise and the proud look in the Headmaster's eyes. Harry looked over to Malfoy, but ended up blushing even more at the surprised and impressed look on Malfoy's face. But suddenly Malfoy's brows were knit together in confusion and he asked, "But why does Mother need to leave a few days after Severus visits?"
Harry was surprised at first by Malfoy's use of Snape's first name, but then remembered that Snape is Malfoy's Godfather. Remembering he had been asked a question, Harry was brought out of his thoughts to answer. "Well, if we want Snape to stay as our spy, then he can't be associated too closely with Narcissa's leaving to switch sides. I mean, if she leaves right after Snape sees her, then people will get suspicious. But if there's enough of a gap between the two, then it'll be a lot harder for Snape to be blamed for it."
Harry, when he had finished talking, looked towards Dumbledore and again saw the look of pride the Headmaster was giving him. "Alright then," Dumbledore said, "I will inform Severus once you two have left and we'll make it happen. Is there anything else Harry?"
"Yes actually, there's one more thing." Harry turned towards Malfoy in his chair and said, "Malfoy, we need to pretend like nothing has happened for a little while" Malfoy looked like he was about to object, so Harry quickly continued. "It's just until we can get your mother. Otherwise one of the students with Death Eater parents, could find out that you and I are getting along, and then our cover will be blown." Harry concluded.
"Okay," Malfoy said, "you're right. But once she's safe, can I… Can we…"
"Can we what, Malfoy?"
"Can we get along? Because I don't want to fight anyone anymore."
The last part of what Malfoy has said, reminded Harry of how he himself felt. How he didn't want to fight. How he was tired of fighting. Maybe Malfoy and I aren't as different as I thought. "Sounds good to me, Malfoy" Harry responded. "I think we could both do with a little less fighting in our lives."
Malfoy held out his hand for Harry to shake and Harry was reminded of his first day at Hogwarts when Malfoy had offered his hand in friendship. Back then, he had turned the other boy down. Back then, Harry had thought Malfoy was a slimy git who had insulted his first and only friends. Now though, well, Harry wasn't exactly sure what he saw now. Everything he thought he knew about Malfoy seemed to be false, or a mask he created to hide behind. But Harry did know one thing, Malfoy had changed. He'd switched sides and in the end, that's what mattered. Maybe he'd end up friends with Malfoy. Maybe he won't. But he'd never know if he never tried. So Harry grabbed Malfoy's outstretched hand and shook it.
"Well boys," Dumbledore said rather loudly, making both boys jump. The Headmaster had had an amused look on his face as he had watched the two boys finally put aside their old rivalry. "It's getting quite late and both of you have classes to get to tomorrow! Off you go!"
Both boys groaned as they thought about how tired they were going to be and how they'd have to get up early for classes. Harry led the way out the door and down the staircase. Once they reached the corridor, they walked side by side in a comfortable silence. Once they got to where they would go their separate ways, Malfoy turned towards Harry. "Potter," he said.
"Yeah, Malfoy?"
"Thanks." And with that, Malfoy turned and walked towards the Slytherin Common Room. Harry watched him go in a shocked silence. Did Malfoy seriously just thank me!? Once Malfoy reached the end of the corridor, he stopped and turned to face Harry one last time. He gave Harry a nod and then turned the corner and out of Harry's sight. Harry then went off to his own Common Room, wondering how he was going to explain all of this to Ron and Hermione.