Everyone in the room had listened intently when Lupin had come back through the door to share his discussion with Malfoy.
"Are you certain about this, Remus?" Mr. Weasley asked sternly, including his head to gaze at Lupin over his glasses.
Harry, on the other hand, was pacing on the floor in moderate disbelief at what he had just heard from Lupin. Malfoy wanted to renounce his Death Eater status? He wanted the Order's protection? Harry thought back, yet again, to the astronomy tower. He supposed it wasn't impossible. But why now? What had changed?
Remus stood by his decision. "Up until the moment of his death Dumbledore was willing to offer Draco Malfoy protection. He never lost hope that the boy could turn over a new leaf. If Dumbledore was willing to accept Draco while his wand was pointed at his heart, I think we can do the same now, under these unexpected circumstances. Look, when I was talking to him just now I…I know he was being honest with me. I remember what he was like as my student, and the person in there is not the same as he was. He's changed. I wouldn't be surprised if, eventually, he even wants to join the Order."
Ron snorted loudly. Harry silently agreed. Leaving the Death Eaters for protection was one thing, but joining the Order seemed like an enormous stretch.
"I see where you're coming from, Remus." Arthur replied, removing his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I do not think you are entirely wrong. But, I do think that it is too soon to tell whether or not we can trust him."
"I mean, he did try to kill me just last year…" Ron mumbled from the side of the room. Hermione gave him a stern look.
"Ronald he did not try to kill you he was trying to kill Dumbledore-" She stopped for a moment as if realizing that this really wasn't helping Malfoy's case but recovered quickly, "And if Dumbledore could look past that then I think you can as well." Hermione finished and lifted her nose just slightly in the air. Harry was slightly surprised to see that Hermione seemed to be taking Lupin's side in defense of Malfoy.
Lupin smiled at Hermione and cast a halfway-apologetic look towards Ron. "Yes, that's exactly my point. Think of how useful he could be for us!"
"No one is denying his usefulness, just his intentions." Arthur responded tiredly.
The room grew quiet once more. Harry clearly remembered the look on Malfoy's face when Dumbledore made him the offer. Malfoy was clearly terrified of what he was doing, and Harry had been sure he wouldn't be able to follow through with it. When Dumbledore had offered sanctuary for him and his family, just for a moment, Harry was sure he'd seen relief of Malfoy's face. It had quickly been covered back up by fear.
But maybe, maybe if there had been more time in the tower, if Dumbledore had not been so weak, if the offer had been made under different circumstances, maybe he would have taken it. Harry was snapped out of his reverie when Kingsley spoke again.
"Remus, I believe you are getting a little ahead of yourself. We can't simply let the Malfoy boy join in on all our secrets based on this feeling that you had with him just now. He may not be dangerous, but we certainly can't trust him with secure information." Kingsley said with stern authority. Lupin signed, looking disappointed, and inclined his head. "But protection? Yes. I do think we can offer him that." Lupin looked back up with the ghost of a smile.
"Of course, I understand. But I wouldn't count him out just yet. He may surprise you." Lupin turned towards Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. "I must be going now. Molly, Arthur, I'm sure I will be seeing you again soon." And with that he turned and strode out the door.
Kingsley cleared his throat. "Well then, with that settled Mr. Malfoy will still be requiring a place to stay. We can arrange a place for him elsewhere if…"
"Oh no, that won't be necessary. We already have the wards in place and have made some arrangements. We don't want to put you to any trouble. With all of us here, I'm sure everything will be fine." Molly said, looking unsure but sounding confident. She was never one to turn down a person in need of a place to stay, no matter the circumstances. Mr. Weasley put an arm around his wife's waist and gave her a reassuring kiss on the head.
"Yes, Kingsley, he can stay here. Should we need any assistance we will not hesitate to let you know. Feel free to come by any time." Arthur said.
Kingsley nodded and gave a short bow in the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, waved a hand to the rest of them, and walked out the door.
OooOooO
When Lupin had first exited the den Draco had stayed in his seat thoroughly shocked with his present situation. Only 12 hours ago he had been in the Manor being tortured to within an inch of his life. 12 hours ago he felt sure that he was going to die like a coward while his parents watched.
12 hours ago Draco would have never thought in a thousand years that he would have just agreed to leave the Death Eaters.
Sure, he realized that he didn't want to fight on the side of the Dark Lord. Draco believed in blood purity, and he knew that his pure-blood status was something that deserved the utmost respect. He believed that pure-bloods and mudbloods shouldn't have to coexist at school and pretend that they were of equal status.
But Draco didn't believe in continuous, senseless, violent homicide. He had seen enough. He had wanted out for a long time, but he didn't think escape was a possibility. Maybe if he had been there alone, but he also had to consider his parents' safety. Most particularly, his mother's.
His mother. She was the real reason Draco had agreed. The werewolf had said they could try and protect his family. If it meant keeping his mother safe, he would do whatever it took.
Draco realized that he has started pacing the room when he found himself standing quite close to the kitchen door. He knew, once again, that they were in there discussing him. He found himself wishing that, for once in the ridiculous house, he could be involved in discussions that involved his life. Hadn't he just agreed to help them? He had just made up his mind to enter the kitchen and give them a piece of his mind when the deep voice of Kingsley came through the door quite clearly.
"Remus, I believe you are getting a little ahead of yourself. We can't simply let the Malfoy boy join in on all our secrets based on this feeling that you had with him just now. He m-" Draco turned away from the door and walked to the other side of the room. They didn't believe him. Of course they didn't. It had been too quick, too easy.
Draco punched the wall.
"I fucking hate these people" Draco muttered to himself. And he found that it was completely true. He did hate them, despite having agreed to help them. An agreement which, apparently, meant absolutely nothing. But it didn't matter, he didn't have to like them. He thought both sides were absolute garbage. He just wanted to keep himself and his family safe.
If they didn't trust him, that was fine. But if he was going to ensure his family's continued safety, he would have to play his part. He would make them trust him. Somehow.
Draco went back to sit on the couch. He figured someone would be coming back into the den soon to tell him what would happen to him. Despite what Kingsley had said, Draco knew they wouldn't send him back to the Dark Lord, he was too valuable to them. At the very least he knew too much information for them to risk it. He didn't have long to think about it, though, because soon Arthur Weasley was coming through the door with the others close behind him.
"Mr. Malfoy," Arthur began, sounding wary. "Remus told us what the two of you had been discussing earlier. I have to say, it took us all by surprise." Draco could tell he was beating around the bush and raised his eyebrows waiting for him to get to the point. "Remus seems convinced that you are willing to…change. But, we-"
"Yes, I heard what Kingsley said. You don't think I'm trustworthy." Draco cut him off. Really, he didn't want to hear them say it again, so he beat him to it. "I understand. I suppose you'll be taking me to the Ministry to turn me in, then?" He knew they wouldn't. But he wanted to show that, even if they were, he wouldn't put up a fight.
"Not exactly." Mr. Weasley answered.
"We discussed it, and decided that you will stay here with us." Mrs. Weasley said. Draco saw Weasley looking murderous. Apparently not everyone was happy with this arrangement. "We already have the wards in place for you, and you will be safe here."
Despite himself, Draco felt his heart rise just slightly at the thought of being safe. Earlier, he hadn't believed them when he said he wouldn't be harmed, but after the events of this morning he thought a bit differently. If nothing else, he did believe that this place would be safe for him. He nodded.
"Alright then." Draco said. "Where-"
"What happened to yesterday when you couldn't wait to get out of here?" Potter interrupted. He looked angry, yet genuinely curious.
"I changed my mind, Potter. Haven't you been paying attention?" Draco shot back. Potter looked ready to respond but the mudblood grabbed his arm and shook her head.
Mr. Weasley continued as if Potter hadn't rudely interrupted, answering Draco's unfinished question. "You will be staying in Fred and George's room while you are here, as they have agreed to stay above their shop."
"It's on the third floor, the door has their names on it so you'll know which to look for. I can show you the way if you'd like." Mrs. Weasley added.
"No, I'll find it." Draco said. He paused, considered his next words, and continued. "Thank you, Mr. Weasley, for allowing me to stay with you." He said walking up to the Father Weasel and shaking his hand. He saw Potter from over Mr. Weasley's shoulder, his mouth gaping in complete astonishment. Draco smirked at him. Mr. Weasley also looked surprised, but he at least hid it better than Potter. "And you as well, Mrs. Weasley. I sincerely appreciate your hospitality." Draco continued offering her a small bow. Weasley, next to Potter, audibly gasped in shock. Draco felt immensely pleased with himself and his performance.
"And…" Draco hesitated, but knew it would ultimately help his case. "And you may call me Draco."
OooOooO
The next week at the Burrow proved to be one of the strangest Harry had ever experienced. And Harry had experienced his share of strange weeks.
Of course, it was all due to their new guest. Malfoy (Harry refused to call him Draco) was behaving in ways that Harry simply couldn't wrap his mind around.
Malfoy largely kept to himself in Fred and George's room. At first he didn't join them even for meals, but after a few days he started to linger for longer and longer periods when food was ready. Eventually, he had decided to join them for breakfast on the third day, and had continued having meals with them since. He never said a word during meals though, unless it was a thanks to Mrs. Weasley for the food, and he excused himself promptly when he was finished.
Also on the third day of Malfoy's stay, Mrs. Weasley noticed that he was still wearing the same shabby clothes from the night he appeared on the lawn. She had gone into Bill's room (they were the closest in size) and emerged with an armful of old clothes for Malfoy to wear. This gesture didn't surprise Harry in the least. What did surprise Harry was when Malfoy proceeded to thank her in a way that seemed honestly genuine and wear the clothes without comment on their second-hand nature.
In fact, other than these words of thanks, Harry hadn't heard Malfoy speak a single word for the entire week. There was no bickering or taunting, no hostility or arrogance. Basically, there was no sign of the Malfoy that Harry had known for the past 6 years. So, despite seeing so little of him, Harry found himself watching Malfoy whenever he could. Perhaps it was old habit, perhaps it was curiosity, perhaps it was pure disbelief. Sadly, Harry was able to glean very little from his observations, save for one detail.
Malfoy also came out of Fred and George's room twice for meetings with Remus, Kingsley, and a few members of the Auror department who Harry didn't know. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, if they knew why these meetings were happening, were not sharing any information, and Lupin and Kingsley always left promptly afterwards. And Malfoy always left the meetings looking concerned, hurrying back to his room as quickly as he could while attempting to hold his composure.
It was these meetings that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were currently discussing in Ron's cramped bedroom.
"D'you think they could be putting him through some kind of tests?" Ron asked. He was sitting on his bed and Hermione was sitting on the ground next to him looking through a book.
"Maybe. But they are always really quiet in there." Harry answered from his cot.
"Well they obviously want to keep it quiet. They probably put up silencing charms so we don't know what they're doing." Hermione added. She placed the book in one of the many piles of books on the floor of Ron's room. Harry had asked, and she claimed to be sorting them according to how likely they were to need them while looking for Horcruxes.
"It must be something like that, though. Why else would they bring in Aurors?" Ron persisted. Harry nodded in agreement. It did seem to be the most likely scenario. "Do you think he's really, you know, giving them information about You-Know-Who?" Ron asked. Hermione sighed.
They had discussed this countless times over the past few days, talking over the likelihood that Draco Malfoy would really truly defect from the Death Eaters, and his father. Harry couldn't make himself believe it.
"We've been over this Ron." Hermione said exasperatedly picking up another book. "I'm not ready to trust him yet, but he also hasn't done anything to make me think he isn't being genuine."
Ron grumbled. Harry said, "You don't think he's been acting strangely?"
Hermione looked up at him. "I'm not sure what you mean by strangely, Harry. Of course he's been acting differently, but I suspect you'd act differently too if you were suddenly, say, stuck in Malfoy Manor."
Harry raised his eyebrows at her.
"Oh, you know what I mean." She said waving her hand dismissively, returning to her books. Harry smiled slightly, he even almost laughed, and looked up at Ron who shrugged his shoulders.
"What if he really has?" Ron asked quietly.
Harry had thought about that too. What if Draco really was defecting from the Death Eaters? Like Lupin had said, he would be a valuable asset to their side. He must know all sorts of information about Voldemort's plans, whereabouts, or the names of his followers. Harry wondered if, in a world where Draco stopped being a Death Eater if they would ever be able to settle their differences and work together. It seemed like a stretch. Some people just aren't meant to be friends. For the sake of the greater good though? Harry would at least try to work with him. And then, there would also be the question of what could make Draco Malfoy leave Voldemort and come to their side?
But also, what if he wasn't? What if everything that had happened was part of a plan to sabotage Harry and help Voldemort gain more power? Harry shuddered to think about all the information he could give Voldemort if he managed to escape the Burrow.
"I don't know."
OooOooO
Draco hated everything about being stuck in the Burrow. He hated the cramped house, always crawling with too many people and too much noise. He hated the ratty second-hand rags he had to wear (although, he had to admit that the eldest Weasley son at least had a better taste in clothes than the rest of them). He hated all the Weasleys that were surrounding him constantly with their red-haired blood-traitor genes. He hated the mudblood simply for existing in a space so close to where he was, and for receiving considerably better treatment than he. And he hated Potter.
Draco could tell Potter was watching him. It was so incredibly obvious, the Golden Boy didn't seem to be trying to hide it at all. But, Draco pretended not to notice. He could feel Potter's eyes on him every time he left his room. Most particularly, he could feel Potter watching him when he had meetings with the werewolf, Kingsley, and the Aurors.
Still, Draco was proud of himself. He had managed to make it through an entire week without major incident at the Burrow. He was keeping to himself, controlling his temper, and doing his best to convince them all he was trustworthy.
Most of this convincing took place during the aforementioned meetings. Prior to the first one, Draco had had no forewarning. He'd been in his room the day after speaking with the werewolf when Mrs. Weasley had come to knock on his door and inform him that people were waiting for him in the kitchen. Feeling wary, Draco had gone into the kitchen to find the werewolf, Kingsley, and two more men he didn't know that introduced themselves as Aurors. The atmosphere in the room had been unmistakably tense.
"Draco, we are here to discuss your parents." Lupin had said.
Draco had felt his stomach drop through the floor while he waited to Lupin to continue.
"We are going to attempt to evacuate them and bring them to a safehouse. For this, we will need your compliance. Getting communicatiom through to them and convincing them you are with us will be no small feat."
His parents, his mother, would be safe? Would his father even leave? Draco wanted to believe them, and found that he did. If he could give them the right information they could get his parents out. Draco felt confident that, if they could escape too, he could convince them to stop supporting the Dark Lord.
They spent the majority of the first meeting discussing details about the Manor. Draco told them what he could regarding the layout of his home, the protective wards, and anything he thought could help them get inside. He knew, though, that this information was only the beginning. He hoped they would believe that he was telling them the truth.
A few days later, Mrs. Weasley came to his door yet again. This time, Draco hurried downstairs to find out if they had any new information about his parents. They didn't.
Instead, they had talked about anything Draco knew about the Dark Lord's plans. The Order was considering the option of entering the Mano, it seemed. Draco told them, honestly, that there wasn't much he knew, but he told them what he could.
They started discussing alternative ways of getting to Draco's parents. Draco had told them places his father frequently visited, like stores in Knockturn Alley. But also…
"My mother hasn't left the grounds of the Manor in months. And my father is leaving less frequently as well. It's possible that they won't be allowed out anymore."
Everyone had nodded. Draco could tell they were unsure of how to get to Draco's parents. But Draco wanted to believe that they would find a way. It was the only thing that was keeping him sane.
Outside of the meetings, time moved slowly. A week after Draco arrived at the Burrow he entered the kitchen for breakfast and was surprised to see them all leaning in over the kitchen table speaking earnestly. Typically the Weasley's were careful not to discuss any sensitive information around mealtimes, knowing Draco would be joining them. Curious at what could have distracted them from his presence in the kitchen, Draco stayed by the door listening carefully.
OooOooO
Harry, Hermione, Lupin and Tonks, and most of the Weasleys were sitting around the kitchen table. It had been exactly a week since Malfoy had shown up in the middle of the night. Fred and George were visiting for breakfast; they had been checking in at the Burrow almost daily. Lupin and Tonks had also chosen this morning to check in with the Weasleys and ensure that everything was still running smoothly.
Mrs. Weasley and Fleur were standing off to the side in the kitchen discussing details about the wedding, which was quickly approaching. Bill was sitting near them listening carefully, occasionally adding his thoughts and preparing himself to diffuse any arguments that might arise.
Ginny was sitting rather closely next to Harry. They hadn't seen much of each other the past week with Harry, Ron, and Hermione busying themselves with preparations to leave after the wedding. Harry wondered briefly what might happen to Malfoy once he was no longer there. He assumed the Weasley's would continue to house him.
Ginny's arm brushed up against his own and he felt a small chill run up his spine. He was having trouble being this close to her knowing that they couldn't be together, and knowing that soon he would be leaving for an undetermined amount of time. He looked up at her and saw that she was smiling at him almost playfully. He reluctantly almost smiled back. It had been a while since he had last smiled genuinely. At least a week.
A pecking sound came from near the window and Charlie got up to allow the owl carrying the Daily Prophet to enter the kitchen. He paid the owl and retrieved the paper from its leg, bringing it to the table. They had all been hesitant to continue receiving the Prophet, but occasionally it did still contain useful information.
Today turned out to be one of those days.
Charlie's eyes went wide as he read the headline on the front page of the Prophet, and he quickly called his mother over. Charlie was holding the paper at an angle that meant he couldn't read the page.
"What is it?" Hermione asked, also closely observing Charlie.
Mrs. Weasley snatched the paper out of his hands. Harry saw a tear form in the corner of her eyes, and her hands started to shake. "Oh dear…" she whispered, handing the paper to her husband.
Mr. Weasley, aware of the tension in the room, placed the paper in the center of the table for everyone to see. The headline read:
Prestigious Wizarding Family Found Dead
And below was a picture of Lucius, Narcissa, and Draco Malfoy that looked to be less than a year old.
Harry felt his stomach drop and his chest tighten. Malfoy's parents were dead. And Malfoy was dead too? But he couldn't be. They had run enough spells to definitely determine that he was very much alive and not an imposter. He looked below the picture and read:
Yesterday evening, an employee at Borgin and Burkes (who wishes to remain nameless) entered Malfoy Manor on previous invitation to find Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy (née Black) lying dead on the floor of their dining room. The employee immediately notified the Ministry who sent officials to the scene at once. Ministry officials claim that Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy appear to have died from the killing curse. Their only child, son Draco Malfoy, was not found on the property, but at the time is also assumed dead. Ministry officials say they are not certain who-
"What is it?" Fleur asked, sounding worried. The table was too crowded for her to see the paper.
Harry tried opening his mouth to speak but no sound came out. Hermione spoke instead, in a very small voice. "Malfoy's parents were found dead in their Manor last night."
Harry heard a choked sound from near the doorway and his eyes snapped up. Malfoy way standing in front of the door with his eyes wide in shock, his mouth slightly open. Harry's eyes met his for only a second, and Harry saw Malfoy's soul break. Then, before anyone could say a word Malfoy had fled the kitchen with the door slamming behind him.
