12. Draco's Return

Harry listened as Dean spoke.

Strangely he hadn't wanted to believe it at first. He was flooded with guilt over his stupid jealousy, so much so, he found himself desperately searching for a lie in Dean's words. But as Dean explained, it became obvious to him that he had made a horrible mistake.

Ginny had been helping Dean wade through the Ministry of Magic "Employee Guidelines" booklet, apparently his sights were set on filling Mr. Weasleys old shoes in The Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Department, at the Ministry of Magic after he obtained his NEWTs; a position that had yet to be filled since Mr. Weasley had been promoted. Dean had doubted his suitability because he wasn't from a wizarding background, but Ginny had convinced him to complete his last year of Hogwarts, telling him he would be perfect for the position, and proving a fountain of information on her father's old job.

Seamus and Ron hovered awkwardly for a while, listening, then they departed for the common room at Ron's suggestion, leaving Harry and Dean in an uncomfortable silence. Dean plonked himself on the edge of Neville's bed, obviously shaken by the altercation. It was a while before Harry spoke.

'I'm sorry, Dean. I had no right to attack you like that.' He said quietly. Dean had been nothing but a good friend to Harry over the past six years, even supporting him through Voldemorts return, when most had refused to believe it. The fact that he had dated Ginny had completely clouded Harry's judgment, and instead of trusting in his friend, he had chosen to believe the worst. 'I don't know why I did it.'

'I do,' Dean said gravely 'I probably would have done the same thing in your position.' Harry could tell Dean still had genuine feelings for Ginny, but this time it didn't stir up unwanted resentments. 'Ginny and I are friends, Harry … good friends, and I want it to stay that way.' Harry watched him as he spoke. 'If you've got any doubts about the way she feels … just look at her reaction yesterday at lunch when she saw you at the table. Even Ron couldn't have eaten that much potato!' he grinned slightly.

'She's a strong girl, Harry, but she was a mess the whole time you were lying up in that hospital ward.' Harry frowned, he thought no one but Ron and Hermione knew he was there. 'Ginny forced it out of Hermione the day you arrived.' Dean said, following his thoughts 'She knew something had happened. Ron and Hermione couldn't hide something like that from her, or the rest of us for that matter, we've been friends too long.' He held up his hand reassuringly as Harry's frown deepened 'Don't worry, only the seven of us know you were there, though what happened to put you in hospital is still a mystery.' He gave Harry a wry smile.

'Seven?' Harry asked.
'Yeah' Dean nodded 'Me, Ron and Hermione, Neville, Luna, Seamus, and of course Ginny' he counted off his fingers. 'Just the old gang.' He smiled.
'Luna too?' Harry said, feeling unusually glad for her.
'Yeah' Dean said sheepishly. 'Where would we be without her regular insights into the weird and wonderful?' Then he stood up and put his arm across Harry's shoulder, leading him to the door. 'Its none of my business, but I reckon Ginny might be wanting an apology, mate.'

Harry stopped as Dean dropped his arm and opened the door 'Thanks … and I'm sorry.'
'Don't mention it' Dean nodded and left.

Harry knew Dean was right, he had behaved insensitively and Ginny had good reason to be mad at him. He went to his trunk and fished out the marauders map, determined to find her and try and explain his behaviour, he couldn't leave things like they were. He opened the parchment and scanned it, looking first in the Gryffindor tower and then the girl's bathroom, but her name was absent from both. Frowning, he checked the library and the Great Hall, but there was still no sign of her.

He registered slight alarm, as he searched the classrooms and the passageways, but Ginny was nowhere to be found. His heartbeat began to quicken as his eyes darted over the map checking the grounds, and then suddenly, he exhaled as a smile crept across his lips, finally spotting the small ink dot with her name above it, in Hagrids Hut. But, just as suddenly, the smile died as his eyes fell on a second dot in the room with her.

Harry sickened as the bile rose in his throat. The map fell from his hand as he tore out of the room, his heartbeat racing as he leapt down the stairs three and four at a time, with only one thought on his mind. Tearing across the Common Room, heads turned and watched him as he charged through anyone who got in his way. He reached the portrait hole, clambering through it desperately, Ron calling after him. There was no time to explain so he forced out Ginny's name over his shoulder, the only thing on his mind as he ran blindly on, panic shutting out everything but his need to reach her.

Cutting through every shortcut he could, he flew down the marble stairs and out the double oak doors into the blackness of a moonless night. What if I'm too late? He pushed on furiously; the cold night air blustered around him, biting through his clothing as he bolted across the lawns. He ran towards the dull light coming from Hagrids window, then leaping up the stone steps to Hagrid's door in one bound he flung the door open. His chest was heaving and his heartbeat pounded as he surveyed the scene before him, wand raised, searching for the target.

There was a lone candle on the table, flickering in the strong draft that wafted through the open door behind Harry. Ginny sat with her damp cheeks glowing in the soft yellow light, she had turned at the sudden intrusion, staring wide-eyed in shock at Harry.

'Where is he?' Harry said urgently as he walked slowly into the room.
'What?' Ginny breathed.
'Malfoy!' Harry said his eyes darting this way and that, making his way slowly over to her, his wand pointing around the room. It was obvious by her reaction, she had thought she was alone. 'I saw him on the map. He's here!' Harry said, not daring to look at her for too long, he grabbed her arm helping her firmly to her feet. She pulled out her wand and turned her head to look around the room. It was bathed in shadow, the dark recesses impenetrable by the weak light.

'Where is he?' she said urgently. They continued hovering around the spot, back-to-back, searching every shadowy area in the room with their eyes.
'He's hiding himself with magic,' Harry realized 'stand still and don't move.' He said and he held his breath as he listened. There was silence for a moment, then a muffled sound, and the cane umbrella basket just inside the doorway tipped over.

'Harry, The door!'

It was gaping wide open, just as Harry had left it. He swore as he pulled Ginny with him, heading carefully over to it. The sound of voices began to drift across the lawns as they reached the entrance, barring it, though Harry realized in angry frustration, it was probably too late. He shoved Ginny behind him and faced back into the room.

'Ginny!' Ron said urgently as he raced towards them. Luna, Ernie and Neville, were pulling up in front of Dean and Seamus, their wands drawn.
'What … is it?' Dean panted, his robes fluttering in the strong breeze.
'Malfoy!' Ginny said hatefully.
'Get the map! I left it up in the room!' Harry yelled over his shoulder. He saw Neville turn immediately, eventually disappearing into the darkness as he ran back to the castle. 'Keep an eye on the grounds, I think he slipped passed us.'

'Where … is he?' Hermione panted at the bottom of the stairs, her head turning along with the others, to scan the area.
'I don't know, he must be wearing an invisibility cloak or something.' Harry said 'Ginny, get down the stairs.'
'No!' She said forcefully.

'Ginny!' Ron grabbed her arm and yanked her down the stairs, stepping up behind Harry to help him block the door. It seemed to take forever for Neville to return with the map, and Harry was impatiently aware that Malfoy was probably freely making his escape. Neville finally arrived back and handed it over Rons shoulder to Harry, panting furiously.

'I looked … Harry … I couldn't … see him.'

Harry had dropped the map without countering the spell and all of Hogwarts and its occupants still stretched out across the parchment. He searched the hut, then the area around it impatiently, but saw no sign of Draco, though Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt's dots were moving speedily in on the group milling around the hut. Harry shoved the map in his pocket.

'Don't say anything!' he said to the others.
'What?' Seamus questioned as they all looked at him.
'Just let me do the talking.' He said quickly.

'What's … going on?' Tonks had appeared out of the dark. She stopped in front of the steps, panting from her effort.
'Er … I thought I saw someone … from my window.' Harry said as he pointed at the Gryffindor tower, his mind racing 'A Death Eater, going into Hagrids.'
'What's happened? … Is everyone … okay?' Kingsley breathed as he came into view.
Tonks frowned. 'A Death Eater? … In Hagrids?'
'Yeah'
'Alone?' she said flatly.

'Mm' Harry could tell she was dubious '… I-I don't know … they're not here now … I must have made a mistake.' Harry knew his friends were giving him curious looks, but none of them corrected him.
'Are you alright … Harry?' she eyed him.
'Yeah… I-I' he said, struggling for something to say.
'He was dreaming!' Ron chipped in. They all turned at once to look at Ron questioningly, even Harry.

'Heee … fell asleep.' He continued 'And when he woke up, he ran off, so … weee ah … we followed him' he waved a hand at everyone's doubtfully cringing faces. Tonks and Kingsley exchanged looks.
'He was sleep walking.' Ginny offered. 'Its supposed to be dangerous to wake someone like that, so we followed him.' She shrugged.

'I've never seen anyone sleep-run before' Luna said interestedly and received a gentle nudge from Dean for her effort.

'Is everything okay, Harry?' Kingsley asked.
'Yeah, er … sorry.' He said painfully. Tonks was eyeing him suspiciously.
'You were sleep walking.' she said in that way the he just knew she didn't believe him.
'Er ... that's right ...'

'Does it loads up in the dorm!' Ernie chimed in 'Woke me up when he was trying to get into Riley's bed the other night!' Harry raised an eyebrow as he looked at Ernie, the flash of gratitude that flared in him because he had leapt to Harry's defence, died rapidly. 'Scared the poor fellow half to death.' Ernie seemed to be uncharacteristically enjoying playing his part in the conspiracy.

'Right. Thanks,' Harry said, shooting him an piercing glare.
'Well … we'll have a look round before we go, just in case.' Tonks was still frowning at Harry.
'Yes, can't be too careful. I'll take this side.' Kingsley nodded and headed around the hut, Tonks taking the opposite side.

'What was all that about?' Dean whispered hoarsely as they all moved in closer to Harry.

'I climbed into Riley's bed?' Harry said accusingly to Ernie.
'Best I could come up with at short notice. Thought you could use the help.' Ernie was still smiling. 'What is going on, anyway?'
'I'll explain later.' Harry sighed 'But for now, keep it to yourselves, don't tell anyone what happened!'

'I think we'd better get back.' Hermione said quietly 'There's not much we can do if he's gone.'
'W-What was he doing here?' Neville asked turning his attention on Harry.
'I don't know,' Harry said darkly 'but whatever it was, we interrupted him.'
Ron stepped down to Hermione and put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to him briefly. 'C'mon' he motioned to Harry.

'I'll be up later,' he said, his eyes dropping to Ginny, remembering why he had been looking for her in the first place. She seemed to be expecting it and she waited until the others had set off, before climbing the steps and following Harry back into the hut out of the wind.

Harry took the map out of his pocket and placed it open on the table. He doubted Draco would turn up again tonight after nearly being sprung, but he would watch anyway.

'Its cold' Ginny shivered and went over to the fireplace and pointed her wand at the wood that laid there. 'Incendio!' Orange flames erupted and almost immediately started to cast their warmth around the room. Harry watched the golden light flicker across her intent face as she stared into the fire.

'I was wrong about you and Dean' he offered hesitantly.
'Yes, you were.' She said without looking up. He breathed heavily as he slowly stepped to her, stopping at her back. He wanted to touch her, but he didn't dare.
'I just … don't think rationally when it comes to you,' he said 'I saw the photo of you and him at Sirius' and I couldn't help it, you looked so … happy together.'

'He's one of my best friends, Harry.' She said, continuing to watch the flames dancing in the fireplace 'And I was happy that day, not because of him, though.' Harry's pain was growing with the intimacy of the situation.
'And you've been spending so much of your time with him' Harry went on, feeling the need to justify his behaviour.
'I've been helping him.'

'I know,' Harry said 'I know now, and I'm sorry.' Neither of them spoke for the longest time. They listened to the fire cracking and hissing in silence before Harry spoke gravely 'The worst part about all of this is that I should've been happy for you.' She turned and looked at him. 'I promised myself I would let go' he went on 'knowing it was for the best … I'm just … finding it so hard.' he breathed reluctantly.

'I thought by hanging around with Dean, everyone would think we were going out.' she flashed an awkward smile. 'Not you though, I thought you'd know what I was up to. I guess Dean was right, I assumed too much.' she paused 'I was hoping it would help take some of the pressure off you, so you didn't have to keep worrying about me.' Harry looked into her pooling green eyes.

'The night Gabrielle was killed … when you came to me and I snapped at you to get out of the room ... I hated myself. I hated myself because that young girl had just had her life taken away from her, and all I could think was ... what if it had been you.' Her eyes were swelling with tears as she reached a hand up to his face.

'You have to stop feeling responsible for me all the time. I can take care of myself.' She brushed her thumb lightly over his cheek before letting her hand drop. 'You're making yourself sick Harry. You don't eat properly, you're looking so tired all of time' her face was full of concern 'you cant go on like this. You have to stop worrying about everyone else and think about yourself for a change.' Harry dropped his eyes to the floor.

'I'm alright, I've just had a lot on my mind lately.'

'Let me help you.' She quietly pleaded 'I can still be here for you without you having to worry yourself stupid, especially if I keep it up with Dean. No one has to know' He met her gaze 'you don't need to push me away. You don't need to be so unhappy. You don't need to be so alone.' Her voice was heavy as she added 'But you do need me, Harry.'

Finally a wet tear spilled from her eye. Harry's breathing had become strained as she spoke, the pain twisting inside his chest. It would be so easy to abandon all his cares and pull her to him, every part of his being wanted nothing more than to take her for himself, to enjoy all that she had to offer and lose himself in her. He ached to let go of the pain and find that place of comfort only she could show him.

His body trembled as he fought the urge give in, he could not forget why he had left her. If something were to happen to her, if he was responsible for her being hurt, or worse, he could never forgive himself. He had risked everything when he had lain with her in the past, and he would not do it again. He took a half step back from her, fearing his own lack of self-control.

'I can do this alone Gin. I have to do this alone.'

She looked at him almost pityingly as her tears ran freely down her cheeks.

'You need to let go too, at least for now. When its all over, maybe then if you still want to…' She cut him off as she lunged forward and embraced him. His body remained stiff with resolve, though he closed his arms about her briefly. Then he gently eased her back away from him, his expression blank. She looked up into his eyes, but Harry forced himself to keep them free of emotion, suppressing all his turmoil for one last-ditch effort at putting an end to it.

'Its really time we grew up, there are more important things we need to be dealing with.' He was surprised at the sound of his own voice, it came out almost cold. Ginny's reddened eyes dropped from him as she nodded, but didn't speak. She walked past him without looking at him and opened the door.

Harry wanted to call her name, he wanted her to give him one last reassuring look before she left, but he remained quiet as he watched her pull the door shut behind her. He walked to the table and glanced down at the map to make sure she made it safely back to the castle. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a tiny dot moving near his own. His eyes fell on it automatically.

'I think I'm going to be sick!'

Harry's heart skipped a beat. He knew that sardonic drawl well even as the name registered.

Harry turned his head slowly, aware that Draco would already have his wand trained on him. Malfoy hadn't shown up on the map a moment before, and there was no way he could have come in or out, without Harry's knowledge.

'How did you do it?' Harry asked darkly.

Malfoy scoffed smugly. 'You'd be surprised at the talents of those you despise. But then, you only ever believed in Dumbledore, didn't you?' Malfoy taunted 'your ridiculous little map won't help you anymore. I wont show up unless I want to be seen.' The wind had picked up outside, and was howling through the thatches on the roof.

'Still doing your Masters bidding, then?' Harry said bitterly 'I don't need to ask how that's working out for you.' Draco had looked pale and drawn when Harry had seen him last; now however, he looked positively ill. 'Stumbling already!' Harry said smoothly as he shook his head gently. Malfoy's hollow eyes hardened. 'Hoping Snape will come and bail you out again, like last time?' He goaded recklessly.

'Watch your mouth!' Draco said angrily, his body shaking slightly. Harry's hand unconsciously neared his wand. Malfoy glanced down at it.
'DON'T MOVE!' Malfoy yelled wildly. He appeared to be hovering on an invisible edge. He had a crazed look in his eyes and seemed unable to keep the end of his wand from trembling. Harry relaxed his hand away from his pocket as the wind blustered outside, rattling the windowpanes.

'You make me sick!' Malfoy spat 'All that disgusting love talk between you two,' Harry swallowed hard, Malfoy had heard, and seen, everything that went on between him and Ginny. He felt his face redden. 'You think anyone's interested in your tortured love life? You think your doing it hard because you cant be with your stupid girlfriend?' Malfoy's voice was getting higher and louder. 'You think you know what it is to suffer? Do you? You think you know what it is to feel the pain of losing … to really lose someone y-you … you … ' He was bordering hysterical, and his eyes were wide and watery. He seemed to be struggling to find the words. A realization dawned on Harry as he watched him.

'He killed your family!' Harry breathed, horror struck. Draco glared at him as the wind howled around the hut outside. 'Didn't he?'

Draco's face contorted. 'My mother...' he said painfully. 'He warned me. I failed him. He was right to take her.' His voice shook 'He could have killed my father and me as well.' He looked almost possessed. 'He showed us mercy.'

Harry felt a flood of sympathy for this shell of the boy he had loathed for so long, but it wasn't enough to hide his frustration at Malfoys continued loyalty to the monster that had killed his mother.

'Mercy?' Harry scowled 'He doesn't care about you, your mother, or your father. The only reason your dad is still alive is because he's in prison!' Outside, the rain pitted itself against the windows.

'I have been given a chance to make things right!' Malfoy said with nervous agitation. 'And this time, I will not fail!'
'You have a chance to make things right only if you turn from Voldemort, before you do anymore harm!' Harry said angrily.

Malfoy looked at Harry for a moment, his expression unreadable, and then all of a sudden he burst out laughing, barely able to keep his wand trained on Harry. It was a strange, mad sounding laugh that slowly died off as he spoke.

'You are too much, really! You always want to be the hero, don't you?' he mocked 'Think you can turn me? Think you can make me "come over to the good side?"' Harry watched as his expression grew serious and he renewed his aim, he was finding Dracos instability discomforting, and more than a little dangerous, 'No, my path is set, Potter. Has been all my life, just like you, really.'

'What are you doing at Hogwarts?' Harry asked, abandoning his attempt at getting through to him.
'Like I'd tell you!' he said spitefully, though after a moment, his face dropped and he appeared to be trying to read Harry's expression. 'I'm not here to harm anybody.' For the first time there was no trace of sarcasm or anger. 'Just stay out of my way.'
'Right,' Harry scoffed bitterly 'because I can trust you, cant I? I can take you at your word.'

Draco eyed Harry over his wand tip 'It was you who destroyed the Vanishing Cabinet, wasn't it?' Harry tilted his head in a nod.
'How annoyingly inconvenient of you.' Draco sneered. 'I had thought I could use it again'.
'Then I'm even gladder I did it.' Harry said. The front door was rattling along with the window pains, from the force of the wind swirling outside the hut.

'It doesn't matter; I have a better way of getting in and out now. Sorry to deny you a good gloat.' Draco was sounding like his usual self again.
'I wont let you hurt anyone, Draco.'
This appeared to upset Malfoy greatly 'I've already told you, I'm not here to hurt anyone, I'm loo-' he stopped abruptly, his breathing ragged with fury.

'Looking?' Harry said sharply. 'For what?'
'Enough!' he snapped 'I'm through talking. Turn around!'
'Not a chance' Harry said darkly, his hand drifting nearer to his wand.
'Just do it!' Malfoy said impatiently.
'I'm not turning my back to you.' They glared at each other for a long moment. Harry was watching Draco closely for any sign of movement. The wind continued to howl and the rain had turned to hail as it bit against the windows and doors. Suddenly there was a loud bang behind him and Harry's head spun to see what was happening.

The door was swinging inwards on its hinges, revealing the inky blackness beyond. The wind had forced it free of the latch, and hail was streaming into the hut, extinguishing the candle and making the map fly off the table. He quickly lunged for it, as it rushed towards the flickering, dancing flames in the fireplace, grabbing it just in time. When he looked round to find Draco, the room was empty. Harry hastily pulled the map apart and checked it, but could see neither Draco Malfoy, nor anyone else around the area of the hut.

Shoving the map into his pocket, he went through the door, and pulled it firmly shut after him. Placing his arms up in front of his head to shield the worst of the hail, he dragged himself across the dark grounds and headed through the large oak doors.

'Potter! What are you doing?' Filches gruff voice sounded as he made his way across the entrance. 'Where 'ave you been, eh?' He was looking at Harry through narrowed eyes.

'Doing my nightly rounds.' Harry had stopped at the foot of the stairs. 'Maybe you've forgotten, but I'm Head Boy, which means it's my duty to be out and about at this time of night.'

Filch looked thoroughly unimpressed. 'You're not supposed to leave the inside of the castle. McGonagall's gonna hear about this!'

'Whatever,' Harry said resignedly and turned to mount the stairs.
'You're not above the rules, Potter!' Harry could hear Filch yelling after him. 'Your going down this year!'
Harry ignored the remarks, suddenly too tired to be angry. Once in the Common Room, he weaved his way over to Ron and Neville.

'Hey, What kept you?' Ron asked 'You're wet!'
'Hermione gone to bed?' Harry asked.
'Nah, she went to sort out some problem in the girls bathroom. It's a bit strange, isn't it?' he added, changing the subject 'I didn't expected Malfoy to show up here again.'

'Maybe he's here to target someone else,' Neville said 'maybe he's here for you this time, Harry.' he was looking rather worried.
Harry grunted 'I don't think so, he is up to something though.' Just then, Hermione appeared, looking very bedraggled. She was soaked, head to foot, and her shoes were squelching as she walked.

'Did you go back outside?' Ron said incredulously.
'No,' Hermione said, obviously irritated. 'I had a run-in with Moaning Myrtle.' She frowned at Harry 'She hasn't been at it in the boys bathroom as well, has she?'
'No.' Harry motioned his head for them to lean in, and he explained what happened with Draco. Neville had seemed particularly disturbed by the news of Draco's mother, Narcissa.

'I bet it was LeStrange,' he said as he stared into the fire.
'I don't know, maybe. Though I got the impression that it was Voldemort himself.' Harry said, then turning to Hermione, who was enveloped in an enormous amount of steam as she tried to dry her robes with her wand, he asked 'Do you know how he was able to be in Hagrid's without showing up on the map?'

'Honestly? No. The map shows a person, even if they're invisible, and if they are an animagus, though I seriously doubt he has the talent for that anyway, and he couldn't have apparated.' She said. Harry could tell she was mulling it over in her head.

'Whatever he's doing, I don't like it.' Ron said darkly 'the idea of him wandering around the castle whenever he feels like it…' he looked at Harry.
'I don't either.' Harry said, then added 'Though I believe him when he says he's not here to harm anyone,' Neville and Ron looked at him dubiously 'not directly anyway.'

'Lets face it Harry,' Hermione frowned 'If he's here for Voldemort, its hardly going to do any of us any good, is it?'
Harry sat in the armchair next to Rons and drummed his fingers on the armrests.

'We've got to figure out what Voldemort has set him to do.' Hermione matter-of-factly. 'The fact that Voldemort has placed him, of all people here, I just don't get it, its like before, with Dumbledore, seems to me Voldemort wants him to fail'

'Could be another angle.' Harry whispered 'Draco's fool enough to believe he is important to Voldemort still, he's eager to please hisMaster to keep what's left of his family alive, and Voldemort knows now he doesn't have it in him to kill. Voldemort may have sent him back here on a task specifically suited to him alone. Cant imagine what though.' Harry sighed.

'I think we should ready as many of the old DA as we can!' Neville spoke with surprising strength of conviction. 'Hermione, can you make up more of those coins, for the members who left them behind, or lost them.'

'I suppose so,' she said with a vague shrug.
'How many, and how long?' Harry picked up on the idea. Hermione saw Harry's determination and thought about it for a moment.
'I'll have to find out who's left, and who still wants to be involved. After that, maybe a week to get the coins organized, charmed and distributed.

'All right, it's a start' Harry said, the he paused for a moment, frowning and asked Hermione 'Can you make us a batch of Felix's Luck potion?'
'I don't know. It takes such an incredibly long time, I mean, even if we start now, it wont be ready until March.' She said.
'I'll lend you Snapes book, follow his instructions and it'll come out better than ever.' Harry was determined to get it underway, even though it wouldn't help them on Halloween.

'Some of the ingredients could prove hard to get.'
'We'll 'borrow' them from Slughorns storeroom.'
'Alright' she sighed 'I'll look into it tomorrow.'
'Good' Harry said as he walked to the foot of the stairs 'I'm going to bed, I've got another session with Sir tomorrow.'

'Oh, and Harry, watch out up there!' Hermione added 'Apparently Myrtle overheard Crabbe and Goyle planning some sort of revenge on you, for hexing them after they attacked Ernie and Justin.'
Harry sighed 'Tonight?'

'No idea, just be careful!' she said in her Mrs. Weasley way.