The end of the school year was approaching far too quickly for Draco's liking. They had made no progress towards sealing away his memories in a ring. They had completed nearly a dozen attempts with no success in getting his memories back once they were put into the ring. The pile of useless silver rings in his possession just kept growing. They were both starting to think it might not be possible.
Despite Draco's resistance to the idea, Black made him devise a backup plan.
"Nothing good will happen if someone finds it out. Besides, you'll still have all the knowledge I taught you, you just won't know where you learned it." That wasn't as comforting to Draco as Black meant it to be.
They had found a variation of Obviliation that allowed the subject to be forgotten rather than a specific time frame. All he had to do was call Kreacher, pass off the ring, and then cast it on himself. It made Draco ill to think about, but he indulged Black.
"Do you really trust Kreacher to find someone else?" Draco had asked.
"Not really. He doesn't get around much and he might drop dead before he could hand it off. But I know that he'll do his best and that'll be enough."
Draco certainly didn't trust the elf. He had the mysterious locket Black had stolen for over a decade with the order to destroy it, but that thing was still around. That sounded like incompetence to him. Who knew what would happen to Black's ring if he gave it to Kreacher.
When it finally came time for his OWLs, Draco was relieved at how manageable they were. The rest of the fifth years were overwrought, but compared to the extensive and complicated research Black had him doing, OWLs were simple. His housemates frequently commented on how calm he was about them approaching. They probably thought he was faking it for his reputation, but Draco was genuinely unconcerned with Black at his side.
Charms was a breeze. Draco had also had a natural talent for it, but cataloguing for Snape the first half of the year only solidified his Outstanding score.
Black had a knack for Potions, his freaky good memory could recall ingredients like no one else.
Draco would admit that Defence could have been better. Umbridge was at fault for that one, he had stumbled through the practical.
He finished his Ancient Runes final before most were halfway through it. Black had barely helped.
It wasn't until History of Magic that things changed.
"1022."
"Paris, France."
"The 4th Goblin Rebellion."
Draco scribbled each of Black's answers. Of all the exams so far, this one was where Black was most needed.
"You know I could tell you anything and you'd write it down." Draco rolled his eyes. Black wouldn't do that; He liked to show off too much.
Black was explaining the significance of the discovery of bezors in foreign relations when an ear-splitting scream filled the great hall. Draco, along with every other student, jumped as Potter fell out of his chair, clutching his forehead. He hit the stone forcefully and curled in on himself, gasping.
Black tried to rush over to him but was stopped by his barrier. "What happened?" Students started talking.
"Silence! The exam is ongoing." An older examiner strode quickly to Potter who had now stopped his screaming in favour of heavy panting. He was still holding his scar and trying to right himself.
"Come, Mr. Potter." The examiner helped Potter out of the Great Hall, Draco and Black tracking him the whole way.
"Has that happened before?" Black asked and Draco shook his head. "It was his scar right?" A nod. "Alright, finish your exam and we'll go and find him."
Black rattled off answers, quicker than before. Draco was one of the first out of the great hall, but Potter was already gone.
"Infirmary?" Black guessed. Draco supposed that could be it, but it didn't feel like something Potter would do willingly. He headed upstairs and waited until Pomfrey had scurried back into the back room before he checked the beds for Potter. Montague and some Gryfiindor kid were the only ones there.
"Maybe he went back to the Gryffindor common room? I should be grateful he's not here, but I know he'd hide a real injury," Black said.
"Why does this even bother you so much? His scar must be cursed. So what? That's not new. I can't fix it, so what if it hurts from time to time?"
"It's just a bad feeling." Black didn't elaborate further. "Head back down to the Great Hall. If you don't spot him, you're off the hook. His friends can look after him."
Draco didn't even get halfway there when Umbridge stopped him. "Draco!"
"Professor?" Draco hid his annoyance behind a tight smile. She was holding Weasley by his upper arm. Weasley looked a combination of worried and irritated.
"Gather the rest of the Squad. I have reason to believe Potter and his friends are carrying out a plot. Weasley here," she yanked the boy closer, "told me Peeves was tearing up the transfiguration department when in fact I just heard word from Filltch that he was smearing the eyepieces on the telescopes." Draco didn't think anyone had sounded so pleased about one of Peeve's pranks.
Weasley weakly tried to defend himself, "No, I swear Peeves -"
"Quiet!" She gave him a yank and turned her sweet expression on Draco. "The squad?"
Maybe this was a stroke of luck after all, he might not need to find Potter himself. "Right away."
He jogged back towards the Great Hall hoping to find those in his year still milling about after the exam. Pansy spotted him first, the rest were nearby discussing it.
"Draco! How did you finish so quickly? I can hardly believe it. You never take notes in Binn's class."
"I am capable of remembering things." He ignored Black's snort. "Umbridge needs the Squad up on the fourth floor."
"What for?"
"Potter."
"Say less," Nott responded. Crabbe and Goyle looked delighted.
"Oh, I hope it has something to do with his interruption during the exam. He shouldn't be allowed to get away with disturbing everyone like that!" Pansy commented while she and Bulstrode started towards the stairwell.
Upon returning to the fourth floor, they found Warrington, whom Umbridge had found elsewhere, restraining Weasley while Umbridge was questioning the looney Ravenclaw girl.
"There is no gas in this corridor!" Ubridge exclaimed infuriated.
"Oh, it's invisible. Only certain whisps could stand a chance at it. Their eyes are tiny you see," the blonde Ravenclaw responded airly.
"What is she on about?" Black commented and Draco fully agreed with the sentiment.
Umbridge finally spotted Draco and his others. She ordered Warrington, Crabbe, and Goyle to confirm the absence of gas while Pansy and Nott were to stay with Weasley and the Ravenclaw. Draco and Bulstrode went with her to investigate her office
"I just got alerted that someone just tried to break into my office, we need to investigate," she told them while leading the way. "Draco, Miss Bulstrode, I expect you to detain anyone who might be inside. Potter will not get away." Draco felt uncomfortable with her using his first name. It was far too casual against everyone else's last names. Umbridge had grown far too comfortable with him.
When they reached the door, Draco heard shouting from down the hall but stayed close to Umbridge. Black had stayed quiet, knowing Draco didn't like to be distracted around others. But immediately spoke up when the door opened.
"Get Harry's wand!"
It took Draco much longer to process the scene than Black. Granger was looking at them shocked, a figure knelt with their head in the fireplace. That must be Potter. Umbidge practically ran towards him, clawed fingers outstretched. Where was the wand Black mentioned?
He spotted it on the desk. He lunged just before Granger did, he gripped it tightly and pointed it at her, "Back off mudblood." She fumed at him. Bulstrode took the moment to grab Granger and pin her arms behind her.
Umbridge had Potter now. "What are you doing in my office?!"
Potter tried to deflect with some lame story about getting his confiscated broom, while Nott and Pansy pulled Weasley and the Ravenclaw into the office.
"Liar!" She flung him into the desk. He hit directly on his arm making him unable to catch himself. He knocked quills the ground as he fell. "Who were you talking to?" She loomed over him wand drawn and pointed at his face.
"Be ready, Draco," Black said quietly, but there was no way Draco was going to get in the middle of that no matter how badly Black wanted it.
Potter finally took in the rest of the office. Eyes darting trying to evaluate what he could use to his advantage. When he met Draco's eye, he flipped Potter's wand in the air, catching it. He hoped it came across as 'You're an idiot for letting me get your wand so easily.'
There were more footsteps and shuffling as Warrington, Goyle, and Crabbe entered with the younger Weasley girl and Longbottom. The latter was being suffocated in Crabbe's arms, gasping for air.
"Got 'em all." Warrington pointed to Longbottom, "That one was just in the way, so figured he could come along."
"Good." Umbridge settled into her chair, glancing at the newcomers. "Another Weasley? Hogwarts might be rid of them finally after this." Most of the Slytherins laughed, and Draco joined in.
Potter started to stand up, drawing Umbridge's attention again. "If you won't tell me we must use other methods." She turned to Draco, "I have need of Professor Snape's talents."
"I'll fetch him." Draco walked swiftly out of the room, making sure to step on Weasley's toes as he left.
It didn't escape Black. "You're so petty."
"He deserves it. As do the rest of them."
"For what?"
Draco started to jog down the stairs, "They broke into a Professor's office."
Black just sighed. "You have no idea why they did that. Besides, you have no love of Umbridge. Why do you even care?"
Draco hated it when Black was like this. All high and mighty. "You don't get it."
Black backed off, probably sensing Draco's volatile mood. It was only a few minutes before they arrived at Snape's office.
"Do you need something, Draco?"
"Professor Umbridge does."
Snapes pinched his nose, making Draco hold back a snort. It seemed like most of the staff was sick of her antics. "What does she require now?"
"It's Potter. He broke into her office and said she needs your 'talents.'"
"That woman, does she expect me to poison my students?" Draco thought she probably did and honestly, Draco fully believed that Snape would.
"Lead the way."
They arrived, Draco a little short of breath. Umbridge immediately pounced on Snape, asking for Veritaserum.
"That woman is so entitled. Thank Merlin, Snape is out of Veritaserum." Black kept up his commentary throughout the interaction. "Do you think Snape is actually weaselling his way out of this? I figured he might love the prospect of poisoning Potter. I can't tell."
Draco couldn't either. It was unexpected for him not to jump at the chance of hurting Potter, but Snape still spoke earnestly about how he would do it if he could. Snape was just about to leave, when Potter shouted frantically.
"He's got Padfoot! He's got Padfoot in the place where it's hidden!"
Draco looked to Snape, trying to decipher if he understood the message. Draco sure as hell didn't. He gave nothing away, but before Snape could respond Black broke the silence.
"It's Sirius. The Dark Lord has Sirius in the Ministry."
Draco forced himself not to look at Black. He clenched his fist.
"I haven't the faintest idea what you are spouting about," Snape paused, meeting Potter's eyes, and swept out of the office.
"How is that even possible? He's supposed to be at the Black house," Draco was willing Black to shut up. He couldn't focus. "You need to get away to talk to Kreacher."
Draco nodded hoping that was enough to appease Black into silence. It only worked temporarily.
Umbridge was debating something now that the option of Veritaserum was gone. She voiced her thoughts, "I had really hoped to avoid this. Veritaserum is much cleaner. Regrettably, it looks like I will have to resort to the Cruciartus curse." Several people gasped.
"That's illegal!" Granger declared.
"I'm not even surprised that she'd sink this low," Black said under his breath. Draco stood tense, he didn't think he could hold up his deal if Black tried to make him stop Umbridge.
Umbridge clearly didn't care about legality. "Whatever happens in this office will remain a secret from the ministry," She said and glanced at the occupants.
"Of course, Professor," Warrington said immediately. Her gaze hovered over Draco.
"Naturally," was all Draco said. Black was stiff beside him but didn't make Draco do anything.
Draco braced himself as Umbridge began, "Cru-"
"Wait! Stop!" Granger cried. Tears welled in her eyes and she said, "We have to tell her Harry!"
"No! Hermione, we can't!" Potter was spiritted for someone about to be tortured for information.
"This boy needs to shut up," Black groaned.
"I can't watch this Harry," Granger was openly crying now.
"Don't," Potter said, resolved.
Hermione choked on her words but tried to explain Harry was trying to contact Dumbledore. It was apparently about some weapon that they had been working on throughout the year, but that made no about Sirius? Had Black gotten it wrong?
"She's a genius," Black said in awe.
Draco was only a second behind was making up a story!She was telling Umbridge exactly what she wanted to believe, and Umbridge was eating it up. Draco knew what Black would want from him.
"Professor," he interrupted, "I noticed Dumbledore would be absent at the same time as Potter. I found it suspicious but never had proof they were together."
"Good. Keep pushing that," Black encouraged.
Umbridge glanced at him. Granger looked surprised, but filled in with a sob, "He was telling Harry how- how to fix it."
"What else have you noticed, Draco?" Umbridge questioned him. Draco wracked his brain for something believable.
"Potter is in remedial classes. I bet it's because he's been working on this weapon."
"Very astute." She turned back to Granger. "Show us where this weapon is."
"I'm not showing them!" Granger motioned to the rest of the Inquisitorial Squad. She continued about how dangerous it could be.
"The girl only wants Ubridge with her. Try to act greedy. Umbridge will leave you in charge here instead of risking you getting the weapon from her. You needed to call Kreacher minutes ago."
Draco indulged Black. He put on an enthusiastic smile. "Professor, perhaps you should take some of the Squad with you. We don't know how powerful the weapon really is."
She looked at him and seeing the greed that Granger had planted, said. "No. I go alone with these two. Draco, stay behind and keep things orderly here."
Draco twisted his expression into fake annoyance but agreed all the same. They left, leaving the squad and their prisoners still in her office.
"What now? This is so boring," Pansy whined.
"Umbridge never said we can't have a little fun," Warrington said, twisting the Weasley girl's arm and making her gasp.
"Just don't let them go," Draco ordered as he turned to the door.
"Where are you going?" Nott called out.
"No of your business. Just don't fuck up while I am gone." Pansy made some noise of protest but he just ignored her.
The nearest room was a broom closet. "Just get in," Black said walking towards it and Draco grudgingly followed. He called for Kreacher the moment the door was shut.
"Master's?" Kreacher arrived with a crack and sounded unexpectedly gleeful.
"Where's Sirius?"
The elf kept up his happy expression. "At the Black House, but not for much longer."
"What does that mean?" Black said and Draco echoed.
"Potter is asking the same thing. Kreacher did what Mistress Malfoy would've wanted and didn't tell him."
"What's my mother got to do with this?"
Kreacher chuckled darkly. "Kreacher is helping Mistress Malfoy. Potter needs to leave Hogwarts. Then the Dark Lord can get him." He let his voice drop from amusing to sinister.
"Shit, Draco we need to stop him! He's going to get killed if he leaves the grounds."
Kreacher cackled. "Kreacher will be Mistress's soon enough."
"How do we stop him?" Draco turned to Black. "We have no clue where they went!"
"You still have his wand. He won't get far without it."
Draco clenched his teeth, stressed. This was everything he should be hoping for. Potter was going to finally be the Dark Lord's. If this was his father's plot, then he'd be recognised for doing something great. Draco should be thrilled at the prospect of the Malfoy name gaining value to the Dark Lord. Yet here was Black, doing everything he could to prevent it and dragging Draco with him. And worst of all, Draco wanted to help Black.
"Kreacher is being called," The elf interrupted his debate.
"Wait -" The elf disappeared.
"Shit. Let's get back to the others." Draco was still fighting himself internally when he heard yelling from within Umbridge's office.
As he rushed in, it quickly became apparent that his housemates were incapable of simplebloody tasks. He ran back into the office to find Bulstrode already stunned, body prone. Longbottom had kicked Crabbe in the crotch who was hunched over groaning. The Weasley girl somehow broke free and was pointing her wand at Pansy who was barely keeping hold of the other blonde girl. Weasley had broken out of Nott's hold, who was holding a bleeding nose. He spotted Draco first.
"Shit." He ran for the desk. A stunner barely missed him. Black stood watching the scene as Draco was hunched trying to keep his limbs out of sight. He heard an "Expelliarmus" along with a body hitting the floor. Black grimaced.
At this rate, it was going to be him against the four.
"Get up quickly, fake left. If they don't hit you, castBombardaon the desk. With luck, it'll throw them off balance enough for you to stun them."
Draco tried, but either he was too slow or the Weasley girl got lucky. A bat bogey hex hit him straight in the face. He couldn't breathe as he clutched his face and fell to his knees.
"Nice one, Ginny," someone commented. Draco's hands were slimy as he tried to pull the flapping boogers from his face.
"It's my favourite to cast on Slytherins. It matches their sliminess." People laughed. Draco still couldn't get in a proper breath.
"Get Harry's wand." Someone was going in his pockets. He tried to knock them away but he still couldn't see.
"Calm down. I know the charm that can counter it." Black knew everything. "You have to be able to breathe first." Draco focused, as he heard the others leave.
"You have to follow them. Clear your sinuses." He told him the counterspell. It took a few attempts before he could see or speak again.
"Where did they go?" He cast again trying to clear the nasalness in his voice.
"Try the grounds. I bet that Granger girl would want Umbridge out of the castle." Sure enough, as they reached the front entryway, they saw the group of four headed towards the forest.
"Go, don't lose sight of them!" Black shouted. Draco did his best, he didn't want to be spotted. Once they reached the edge of the trees, he took a moment to gather his courage. He hated this cursed forest, but he could feel Black's anxious energy. It fueled him.
"Draco, move faster!" Black was pulling further ahead, or rather attempting to.
"I'm trying! I am trying to avoid breaking an ankle." He could barely hear the group they were following, but they were leaving a trail of smashed branches. Eventually, they reached a point where the voices only grew louder. They had stopped moving.
He could make them out in a clearing up ahead. Potter was there with Granger, and notably without Umbridge.
"Draco! Stop him!"
Draco paused. He was outnumbered six to one by a group that would rather curse him than listen. He could still try, Potter didn't have to die today.
He shouted as he cleared the last few trees separating them, "It's a trap, Potter!"
The group whipped their heads around. Wands rising. Potter yelled, "Malfoy? What are you doing here?"
"Stopping you. It's a trap."
"I don't believe you, Malfoy. You don't know what you are talking about. I bet you just wanted to get the 'weapon.'"
Potter was so dense. "I don't know anything? Then tell me why you are running off to save the mass murderer Sirius Black?" Granger audibly gasped while the others' jaws dropped.
Potter recovered first, fury in his voice. "How do you know that?"
"The same way I know that Sirius Black is fine. Kreacher lied to you."
"How do you know Kreacher?"
Draco smiled snuggly, "Kreacher!" A beat. The elf didn't come. Draco spun wildly searching for where the elf would have appeared, the elf had never ignored him before.
"Shit," Black said. At the same time, Weasley stepped in, "Don't trust him, mate. He probably just recognised Padfoot."
Harry was still uncertain. He had seen a side of Draco in detentions that the others hadn't. They hadn't seen Draco go against Umbridge and save Potter's hand. They hadn't seen him do a harmless prank. They hadn't seen him apologise.
"I have to check. I can't leave him," to his credit Potter looked conflicted.
"Is it worth you dying over?"
Potter was still uncertain. Draco had a string of hope, but before he could pull it, the Weasley girl shouted, "Pertifculus Totalis."
Draco's whole body locked up falling backwards on the cold forest floor.
"No!" Black growled.
The girl sounded smug, "There, decision made. It's Malfoy, of course he's trying to trick us. Let's go, Harry."
Draco could barely see Harry from where his eyes were frozen. In the periphery, he saw Potter turning towards something invisible. There must be thestrals here. That's how they were planning to get to London.
"The idiots! Harry Potter! Stop!" Black was trying to be heard. "STOP!"
Tthey couldn't hear him. Draco couldn't see everything, but the beating of wings told him they were gone. Black sat next to him.
"It'll take an hour before you are free, assuming the girl knows what she's doing. We need to come up with a plan."
Black spent the hour pouring over plans from methodically going to every professor saying what happened to using Umbridge's office flu to go to the ministry himself. Now that he had a moment without the rush of trying to figure out what was going on, he was tired. He had done everything Black wanted, and all he got was cursed. No one trusted him and no one wanted to trust him. He should've never come this far. He should've never looked for Potter after the exam.
Draco had no idea how long he had laid there when the spell wore off, His stiff arms just dropped unceremoniously to the ground.
"Finally." Black stood. "Let's go."
Draco didn't move. "What are you doing Draco? Move!"
"He didn't listen. He missed his chance."
"What? We can still save him."
"No. We can't. I tried and they cursed me!"
"The girl cursed you, not Potter. You're letting him go to his death!"
"He willingly walked to it himself!"
"So you won't do anything?" Draco didn't respond. "I'm not giving you the Black Heir ring if he doesn't come back."
Draco looked up at the sky. He had tried. He'd gone against what his father would have wanted. Wasn't that enough for Black? "Fine."
A beat of silence. "I really can't convince you on this one can I?'"
Draco shook his head. "I'm tired."
"Then take off the ring."
That made Draco sit up. "What?"
"Take. It. Off. I don't want to wait around knowing that we could be doing something. You can put it on tomorrow when you know whether Potter lived."
"Are you sure?" Black had never asked this before. He was terrified of being trapped in the ring. He would've thought it impossible that Black would willingly want this.
"Yes."
Draco did it. He couldn't do what Black wanted when it came to Potter, but at least he could spare him from the guilt of doing nothing. Draco found himself not as lucky.