CHAPTER NOTE: Thanks to a helpful review from Calimocho, I've been informed that I made a mistake on the legal driving age for England. It didn't realize that it was actually eighteen. Since it would kind of mess up the flow of the chapter if I changed it now, I'll leave it. You all can either pretend that the legal age is sixteen, or that Chase did some awesome wizard thing to get his license. :P
Chapter Twenty-Four
On Saturday the Apparition Instructor from the Ministry arrived to Hogwarts. It was cold and stormy morning, the air filled with damp and the scent of ozone.
Everyone – all four Heads of Houses and students – stood in the Great Hall. The long house tables were missing, and the enchanted ceiling above them mirrored the dark sky beyond the rain dotted high windows.
The Ministry official was a small, oddly colorless wisp of a man. Taryn wondered if his frequent disappearances and reappearances has somehow whittled away at his frame, leaving just a fraction of the man he once was.
His voice, when he spoke was booming, and not at all expected when judged against his appearance. "Good morning. My name is Wilkie Twycross and I shall be your Ministry Apparition Instructor for the next twelve weeks. I hope to be able to prepare you to be ready to take you test in this time frame. As you know may know, it is usually impossible to Apparate or Disapparate within Hogwarts. The headmaster has lifted this enchantment, purely within the Great Hall, for one hour, so as to enable you to practice." His voice grew stern as he cautioned, "May I emphasize that you will not be able to Apparate outside the walls of this Hall, and that you will be unwise to try."
Twycross rubbed his hands together, obviously in his element, as he began to explain Apparition theory and practice. "Now, I'm sure most of you have read about Apparition, but I find it important in my line of work to delve further into the subject, especially on the first day of lessons. Apparition, aside from the broom of course, it a wizard or witches preferred and most expedient mode of travel. All witches and wizards are capable of Apparating, and age was not always a factor, but after of the unfortunate Monkshood Incident strict laws were passed policing its use. It takes a Ministry approved twelve week course and a passing grade on your examination to be licensed. It is possible to Apparate without doing so, but if you are caught there are very hefty fines, as well as possible prison time that can result from such an action, so I do caution you against such a foolish notion."
"Also that would put him out of a job if no one bothered to get licensed," Draco whispered wryly, prompting a muffled giggle from Taryn and Chase.
"The ability to Apparate is an extremely useful skill, and doesn't pollute the atmosphere like those dreadful Muggle vehicles," Twycross droned.
"I don't care what he says. I love my Lambo, and I'm not giving up my baby," Chase said bluntly, causing those around him who knew what a Lamborghini was to snicker.
"Silence!" Snape hissed, when he noticed the muffled laughter originating from the students from his house.
Twycross seemed oblivious and continued speaking. "When you Apparate properly you avoid the risk of Splinching, which can sometimes be fatal. That is where the lessons come in. I will do my utmost to prepare you as best I can, but I must be honest. Some people don't will not ever have the talent to Apparate further than a room away. Apparition depends entirely on the amount of inherent magical talent that a person possesses. Some of you will have to be content with your broom, or more traditional modes of travel to journey long distances. A few of may even be able to successfully Apparate across oceans and continents. There is constant research into the future uses for Apparition. Some have even proposed that the extremely powerful might even be capable of trans-dimensional travel, or even jumps to different planets, though I don't know why one would want to do that, especially with out knowing for sure if there would be oxygen or not. I guess, of course, you could use a Bubblehead charm, or some such to..."
"He sounds like you Taryn," Chase whispered under his breath, prompting a sharp elbow into the side from her for his comment.
"–I would like each of you to place yourselves now so that you have a clear five feet of space in front of you," Twycross said.
He waved his wand. Old-fashioned wooden hoops instantly appeared on the floor in from of every student.
"The important things to remember when Apparating are the three D's!" said Twycross. "Destination, Determination, Deliberation!
"Step one: fix your mind firmly upon the desired destination," said Twycross. "In this case, the interior of your hoop. Kindly concentrate upon that destination now."
Taryn concentrated on a spot directly in the center of her hoop, firmly painting a picture of that spot in her mind. Draco had given her given her the theory behind Apparition, but they hadn't had time to go somewhere to practice, and had decided to wait for the lessons instead.
"Step two," said Twycross, "focus your determination to occupy the visualized space! Let your yearning to enter it flood from your mind to every particle of your body. Step three: only when I give the command… turn on the spot, feeling your way into nothingness, moving with deliberation. On my command, now… one...two...three!"
Taryn felt the world get slightly fuzzy before she felt a familiar pull. Her eyes blinked close, and when she opened them she was inside her hoop. A big grin broke out on her face. Draco was standing in the hoop to her right, a rare public smile gracing his handsome features as he noticed her obvious delight at success.
Chase, who had been on her left, had also managed to appear in his hoop as well. Looking around her she laughed when she noticed that Pansy was flat on her back on the floor, looking supremely pissed at her failure.
The other girl gave her a venomous glare, before gaining her feet and brushing dust from her robes.
Only one other person, a small girl from Hufflepuff, had managed to appear in her hoop the first time.
"Magnificent," Twycross said, congratulating the students that made it on the first attempt. "For everyone else, don't be discouraged, learning properly takes time. Now, everyone, Adjust your hoops, please, and back to your original positions…"
They practiced several times, and Taryn began to get a bit bored, until she heard a horrible screech of pain.
Everyone looked around, terrified, to see Susan Bones of Hufflepuff wobbling in her hoop with her left leg still standing five feet away where she had started.
The Heads of House converged on her; there was a great bang and a puff of purple smoke, which cleared to reveal Susan sobbing, reunited with her leg but looking horrified.
"Apparition is not without its risks. Splinching, or the separation of random body parts," said Wilkie Twycross dispassionately, "occurs when the mind is insufficiently determined. You must concentrate continually upon your destination, and move, without haste, but with deliberation…thus."
Twycross stepped forward, turned gracefully on the spot with his arms outstretched and vanished in a swirl of robes, reappearing at the back of the Hall. "Remember the three D's," he said, "and try again…one — two — three."
An hour later, Susan's Splinching was still the most interesting thing that had happened. Twycross did not seem discouraged. Fastening his cloak at his neck, he merely said, "Until next Saturday, everybody, and do not forget: Destination. Determination. Deliberation."
With that, he waved his wand, Vanishing the hoops, and walked out of the Hall accompanied by Professor McGonagall.
"Thank Merlin that's over. I was starting to get tired of that bloke," Chase said lowly, "I don't know if I'll be able to last an entire twelve weeks. I might apply for early testing."
"You can do that?" Taryn asked, interest thick in her voice.
"Sure, it's a little costly, but I think it might be worth it just so I won't have to suffer through that again. I swear I can't listen to him go on another strange tangent about inter-dimensional travel," Chase said with a shutter.
"I bet Malfoy is pissed," A voice said from behind them, "I'd be fucking pissed if I found out that my girl was with another bloke. You said you fucked her after the Christmas party right, Serrano?"
Draco stopped abruptly, turning around to see who had spoken.
Serrano, was leaning against the wall behind him, a mixed group of blokes from other houses standing around him, laughing with the smirking wizard.
A snarl ripped from Draco's mouth as he started toward them. "Who fucking said that?" Menace threaded his voice, and a few of the other boys looked at him once before quickly backing away from from Serrano.
Taryn's hand on his arm made him pause for a moment. "It's not true. I didn't –" she wasn't able to finish her comment because Draco was shrugging her hand from his arm, and whipping out his wand on the other boy.
Serrano lazily pulled out his own wand, aiming it toward Draco. "What rich boy? Are you mad that your girl is a whore? Granted, she's a hot little piece, I see why you keep it locked up."
Taryn's eyes widened as Draco began to literally shake with wrath. He moved, almost to quick to follow, and Serrano's wand was ripped from his hand – without the use of Expelliarmus – and his, along with Draco's were allowed to clatter to the floor.
Draco grabbed a fistful of the other boy's shirt and used it to slam him into the stone floor.
"Draco! Stop!" Taryn screamed as she watched her fiance straddle the other boy and begin laying punishing strikes to Felix's face. Blood flew from the bigger boy's mouth, and the crunch of his nose breaking was audible.
"Effodiunt!" Snape's voice called over the din of the egging of the crowd of boys. None of the other boy's had thought to stop the fight, and after one look at Snape's face, the majority suddenly decided that they had other places to be.
Draco was paused mid-punch, freezing in his position on top of the other boy.
"What is going on here?" Snape grabbed the back of Draco's robe to pull the him away from Felix.
Draco's muscles began to relax as the spell faded, his eyes widened as full realization of what had just happened came over him "He–"
Felix moaned in pain, and curled into a fetal position on the floor, blood and spittle trailing from his mouth, and pooling on the floor.
"Seventy points from Slytherin," Snape said, angrily. His dark gaze pinpointed on Taryn, before returning to Draco. "You and Miss Davis will report to the headmaster's office immediately." He raised his wand, and let out a small shower of blue sparks. "He will be expecting you."
Draco leaned down to pick up his wand from the floor, grimacing at both his bruised knuckles and the blood that now decorated them. He didn't understand what had just happened. He had never lost control of his anger like that, and when he looked at Taryn, and saw the fear in her eyes, he hated himself in that moment.
They walked down the empty stone hall in silence for a moment before he finally spoke. "Please...you don't have to be afraid of me. I would never, ever, hurt you. I'd kill myself before I'd do anything to hurt you," he said quietly, his voice sincere and earnest.
"What the hell was that Draco?" Taryn's slightly hysteric voice was almost a shout. She took in a breath, hands up, before blowing out the breath, and calming herself. "I know that you won't hurt me, Draco, but you did scare me. Why wouldn't you listen to me?" She didn't think he'd hurt her but his complete loss of control scared her.
"I don't know. I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry," tears choked his voice. "I just...When I heard what they were saying I just...lost it. Something is wrong with me, Taryn. I've been feeling strange for awhile. This isn't me. I'm not this jealous person that flies off the handle at only words. I've heard far worse, but it seems that when it comes to you, all bets are off."
"You can't do this," Taryn said evenly, "We'll find out what's wrong and we'll fix it." Determination stiffened her shoulders. "But you can't let this happen again. It has repercussions. He is going to hear about this, and we don't know how he'll take it." They both knew exactly who he was.
Draco held out his hand for Taryn's. He was gratified when she immediately placed her small hand within his. He squeezed her hand gently, ignoring the slight twinge of pain that accompanied the action.
Soon they were outside the Headmaster's office.
As if it were expecting them, the gargoyle moved, sliding away to expose a narrow staircase. Climbing the stairs quickly, they paused in front of the heavy polished door, tapping at it lightly.
The door popped open, and with a quick glance at each other, they entered the room.
Bright, artificial sunlight spilled into the office from high windows, clearly illuminating the portraits of previous headmasters that dotted the walls of the room.
Draco eyed the portraits uneasily. He knew that the painted inhabitants could be used as spies, and he didn't like the keen interest in their eyes as they watched him walk across the room with Taryn.
He didn't like the office. It seemed...cluttered, as if with one nudge all the contents of the room would topple over like dominoes.
Dumbledore sat behind his desk, hands resting on the smooth wooden surface. One hand was blackened and burnt-looking. Dumbledore pulled one of the sleeves of his robe down over the hand when he noted Draco's interest. What had happened to it? Draco wondered for a moment, before pushing the thought away. He had more pertinent issues to take care of.
"Miss Davis, Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore inclined his head in greeting. "Please have a seat," his hand waved to two armchairs that popped into existence in front of his desk.
They both sat down into the surprisingly comfortable chairs, and waited for Dumbledore to speak.
"Professor Snape tells me that you were involved in an altercation with another student," Dumbledore said, looking Draco in the eye. "I shouldn't need to tell you that fighting is not allowed on school premises. I am prepared to be lenient. I know it can't be easy adjusting this school year, especially since your father is in prison at the moment."
"Don't talk about–" Draco began.
"That is very generous of you sir," Taryn interrupted, throwing Draco a sharp, chastising look. "Maybe we can take this as an opportunity to discuss the problem I wanted to speak with you about."
"I'm curious as to why you felt the need to speak with me privately," Dumbledore said.
A house elf popped into the room, a tray with a teapot, cups, and a plate of biscuits balanced in his hands.
"Is there anything else sir wants?" the house elf said, sitting the tray on Dumbledore's desk.
"No, that will be all, Tisky," Dumbledore said. "Would either of you like tea?" The teapot rose into the air, pouring three steaming cups of tea.
"That would be love–" Taryn began, reaching for a teacup. Draco's hand against hers stopped her movement.
Draco shook his head slightly at her surprised look. He vividly remembered Umbridge's use of Veritiserum, and he wasn't going to allow anything to pass either of their lips until they had everything on the table.
"No?" Dumbledore ignored the slight. "The tea is very nice with these spiced almond wafers, and very pleasant on a chill day like this one."
"We aren't here for a tea party," Draco said bluntly. He wasn't at all fooled by the man's twinkly eyes and cheery mood.
"No, you're here because you assaulted another student. Maybe its time that you tell me exactly what you both wanted to speak with me about," Dumbledore said, his pleasant mood evaporating, as seriousness settled on his face.
"Of course, as long as you don't mind invoking Privata Loqui for the duration of this meeting," Draco said, eying the portraits once more with suspicion.
"Why you arrogant pup," one of the portraits behind the desk hissed in affront. "Children these days have no
respect. Why, in my day–" his voice cut off as each of the portraits around the room shuttered as the spell Dumbledore spoke activated.
"Thank you sir," Draco said reluctantly.
"Since you feel the need for a private speak spell, I would ask that you and Miss Davis also let me invoke Veracitas," Dumbledore said quietly, pulling a small hourglass from his desk. There was weight beyond the request, and Draco could tell that the meeting wouldn't go much further if he didn't agree.
Veracitas, a spell that was similar to Veritiserum, was a truth spell. When invoked Veracitas, in conjunction with an hourglass to time the spell, causes anyone within range to speak only truth. It could not force you to speak, but it you did only truth would fall from your lips.
Draco looked at Taryn, and she agreed with a barely noticeable nod. "How long is your hourglass?"
"This particular model lasts twenty minutes," Dumbledore replied.
"Then we agree," Taryn said, before turning to Draco. "I want you to tell him about me. We should start with that first."
Dumbledore tapped his wand against the hourglass, speaking the spell to activate it. "You may begin, Mr. Malfoy."
Draco didn't know how to begin, but he figured that he couldn't go wrong with plain speak. The truth spell would support his words, and was one of the reasons he agreed. Dumbledore wouldn't be able to dispute the validity of his words, especially since he himself had performed the spell.
"Taryn is actually Hermione Granger. She was reborn into this body, and given a second chance at life," Draco blurted out.
Dumbledore's eyes widened slightly. "Why didn't you tell me this yourself, Hermione? I would have helped you in any way that I could if you had only came to me."
Taryn closed her eyes. It felt good to hear her name, and she relished it for a moment before opening her once more. "It was a condition of my deal with them. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, and though it was difficult, I was prepared to never tell anyone who I really was."
"I've heard many theories about the afterlife, but this is the first time that I have heard of anyone returning. Why did they allow you to return?"
"They told me that my death was a mistake, one that they wanted to rectify. I wanted to come back in my own body, but it wasn't possible. I had been buried already. This body – Tracey – was fated to die, so they gave me her body."
"I don't understand," Dumbledore said, "Why does Draco know who you really are if you weren't allowed to tell?"
"The person that was responsible for my death felt guilty. She went against rules to amend part of my bargain. I was able to tell only one and only one person who I actually was and that person is the only one that can tell others who I am."
"I don't want to sound indelicate," Dumbledore said carefully, "but I know that you and Draco weren't friends in your previous life. How did you go from being enemies to being engaged."
Taryn blushed at this. "I didn't just want to come back to live again. I wanted to be useful. I planned to use my position in Slytherin house to spy on Draco. It wasn't supposed to turn out this way, but I'm glad it did. I really love Draco. He isn't who I thought he was, and he is the reason that I wanted to speak with you. We need your help."
Dumbledore's eyes turned to Draco as the boy pushed up the sleeve of his charcoal colored jumper, revealing the Dark Mark.
"Just after my father was sent to Azkaban I took the mark," Draco said, his hand lightly tracing the dark symbol of his servitude. He looked up, meeting Dumbledore's eyes. "I didn't take it for glory, I took it because I felt that I didn't have a choice. He threatened my mother, sir. I couldn't let anything happen to her, not if I could help it, so I agree. And I took the task he assigned me."
"And what was that," Dumbledore asked.
"I told him that I would kill you." Draco waited for a spell to hit him after the quietly uttered words, his eyes trained on the the floor in front of him, but he heard only the creak of a chair as Dumbledore shifted.
"How did you plan to kill me?"
Draco looked up. "I tried to send you a cursed necklace, but it was intercepted accidentally. I didn't want the girl to be hurt. I don't want to hurt people."
"You just want me dead then," Dumbledore interrupted.
"When it comes to the safety of my mother and Taryn, I'll do anything. Even it it meant killing you. It wasn't something that I wanted to do, but I would have done it. It wasn't my idea to come her. I'm here only because of Taryn. She thinks that you can help us," Draco said.
"And you don't?"
"I know that you had to be investigating the Katie Bell incident. I think I covered my tracks, but there wasn't a guarantee that I wouldn't be caught. For all I know you already knew all the the things I'm telling you. Also, I'm not stupid. I know that if it were to come down to a duel between you and I that I would lose, and so I tried to complete my task in another way."
"What makes you so sure that I'll help you? You freely admitted that you wanted to kill me. Why shouldn't I call for Aurors to take you?"
"I'm a Deatheater, and though I'm not in a high position like Professor Snape, I'm sure that I could be useful in similar capacity," Draco said evenly.
Taryn broke in at this. "Draco, no. You don't have to do that." She turned her attention to Dumbledore. "Please sir, tell him that he doesn't need to do that."
"But, I do," Draco said. "As much as I want to forget that I ever took the mark, it won't change that it's there. I'm small in the scheme of things, pretty much cannon fodder. Voldemort doesn't care if I die, in fact I think that he would prefer it. At least I can be helpful in some way."
"If I agree to help you, you both must swear allegiance to the Order," Dumbledore said.
"I will if you agree to two conditions," said Draco.
"What conditions?"
"One: You have to get my mother to safety. She won't go willingly, and will most likely have to be Obliviated. Two: You agree to not tell anyone who Taryn is unless it is absolutely necessary."
"What about your father?" Dumbledore asked.
"My mother isn't guilt free, but Dad is the driving force behind all of our involvement with the Dark Lord. I can't do anything for him now. He is beyond my reach," Draco said quietly.
"I agree to help you mother. She will be taken somewhere safe and given a new identity. I also agree to keep silent about the true identity of Miss Davis, though I think it is foolish."
"I don't think that Harry, Ron, and everyone else should be burdened with my situation right now," Taryn said. She didn't add that she was afraid of what their reaction would be, but judging by Dumbledore's expression she thought that he had figured that much out.