Chapter Nine

Hazel eyes stared out the train window. Ever since the infirmary, Ember had been silent. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into an unknown corner and cry. Freeing Buckbeak was a good thing but not needed. Her parents had forced the Minister's hand. Sirius was still free.

She had drained her brother. She was why he was there in a bed, again. Through his own wand, she saved herself and Sirius but damned him. She had left him vulnerable as his guardians were watching Hermione and Ron. Prongs had faded when Snape had come and she felt weakened. Hermione had to catch her when they realized something.

A lone Dementor had remained behind in the woods. It slipped out to the fallen boy. Her brother, whom she left drained, was now its meal. And there was nothing she could do but watch.

That was until Snape saw the flicker of movement. He flung out a spell, forcing it away. That was how he knew Harry Potter had not stayed in the school.

Ember was not happy. Once again she failed to protect him.

She had learned the truth of that night, thirteen years ago. She did not fully know why but she knew all the same. It taught her the harshest lesson of all, misplaced loyalty. Yet she felt no regret to anything until it came to Harry.

And that moment.

Knowing now that was he's still among the living, still breathing, did nothing to change that.

Sirius was still alive and free. So was Buckbeak, who had vanished into the forest. An irate Lily Potter had been the one to call off the search for the Hippogriff and to stop the arrest of Sirius Black. Her enraged temper had cowed the Ministry workers, even the Minister, into giving her what she wanted. She had not been a happy mother to find her son placed in doctor's care once again because of Dementors. And she had no problem letting others know this.

Fudge had been forced to admit it was Pettigrew trying a last ditch effort to destroy his Master's adversary. The children's memories, which confused them as Harry Potter was not even in them any longer, told the truth. Even the wand that harmed Ron Weasley had been found to be Pettigrew's, though no one knew how it left the Ministry after it had been broken then stored away. Three adults had memories of Pettigrew alive, although in one case he only saw the fleeting escape of a transformed rat.

"Ember, we're here."

Her friends were afraid for her. Her brother's appearance in all this had dwindled to nothing but him lying deathly still upon the forest ground where Ember had suffered from a pack of Dementors. No one still didn't know why the boy had been there. Ember and Hermione weren't talking, although it seemed the brunette had forgotten this too.

Ember knew but said nothing. Harry knew and never spoke a single word. He simply stared at everyone. His haunted gaze had been more then enough for them to back off. He said nothing when Ember returned his wand quietly, asking for forgiveness which he never offered. He simply gave a sad smile.

And that told her it wouldn't be the last.

"Ah, Mister Potter." She jerked from clouded memories to find herself on autopilot. The cool collected tones of one Lucius Malfoy brought her to reality. "I see that you are well." She watched, along with her fuming father, as the tall blonde stroked a gloved hand down her brother's still slightly pale cheek.

Harry gave a half smile as Lily dragged her family away. She may not like the man either but she'd give anything to see that smile on her son's face again. Even Remus agreed as he forcibly made Sirius walk away too. "It's done."

Lucius smirked, "I am prepared, my dear boy." He had the pleasure of knowing all about Pettigrew already. Keeping this boy on his side was paying off quite well.

Emerald eyes glanced back at his sullen sister, "Do you fear the coming. Her pallor slowly diminishes. Like a phoenix rises, ashes give way to stronger power. Life for a life. Debts paid in blood."

"Everyone fears, little one." Lucius stroked the boy's face once more, concern barely masked, "Draco will enjoy your company later this summer. As will I." Then catching the small chin, he leaned forward to whisper, eyes trained on fuming males, "I look forward to continuing where we left off. Perhaps this time the fires will answer as they are closer then ever." He was rewarded with a genuine smile and reddish green eyes glaring back at him before it all faded away.

Harry barely agreed silently when a strong grip pulled him from the blonde's grasp. "Malfoy." Lucius' lips twitched with amusement as he allowed his rivals to lead Harry away. Riling James Potter and Sirius Black always made his day. But no more then the delicious enigma that made Harry Potter.

"He riles you because you allow it. You have your side and he has his. It's only fair."

James sighed, staring down at his only son. Softly, his fingers ran through familiar black unruly locks. His son was growing up, more and more like Lily and Remus every day. "I know but I'm allowed to worry. They way he watches you unnerves me. I don't have to like him touching you or talking to you or treating you like a toy to his fancy." He sighed as Harry remained silent, "Just promise me you will never consider what he reveals until you spoken to us."

A hesitant promise, "I will."

James didn't believe him one bit. Crouching down, he spoke quietly, "I love you, Harry. Despite what others have said or will say, nothing you do will ever change that. I've always known you were different the moment I held you after you were born. You scare everyone, even your mother and sister. One day it will be the only thing between you and your sister's destined path." he caught up Harry's trunk, "lets go home."

**Elsewhere**

"Ah, you've returned to me, my faithful." Al low voice hissed at a nervously giggling Peter.

It had taken time but Peter Pettigrew was where he belonged. At the side of the most powerful wizard of all time. "Kind Master."

He knelt eagerly before a throne like chair, ignoring the enormous snake surrounding it and the person sitting, "Yes, it is time I finally return. Soon it will all be mine again." Peter grinned as he opened a large package that had arrived by eagle owl moments earlier from a mutual friend. Inside held the key to his Master's plan. "Yes, it is time to call upon an old friend." And peter knew he would be greatly rewarded.

**Elsewhere again**

Lucius smirked as he sipped from a wine glass, "He should have received the book by now."

"Do you think he'll let Harry live?"

Steel grey eyes glanced to his concerned son, "After all that Harry has and will prepare, I believe so. Until Harry is ready to take his place."

Draco shared a smile. His father had been correct. Befriending harry Potter was fruitful. Even if he was worried. He knew his father would make sure Harry became the only winner in this struggle.

After all Malfoys only went for the best and strongest.