It took a week before Draco officially approached Professor Umbridge. Both Black and he figured it would be better to wait and judge before committing to a plan to get on her good side. Despite the teasing comments from Black, they decided against bribing the professor. It seemed like she really was a simple woman who could be swayed easily.

After class, Draco stayed behind shooing away Crabbe and Goyle when they lingered. "Professor Umbridge? Do you have a moment?" He slapped on his smile.

"Oh, Mister Malfoy. Anything for a top student." She grinned sweetly back at him.

He held out a hand. "My father speaks very highly of you, and I wanted to make a formal introduction. I was thrilled to see the ministry finally taking a stance here."

"Does he? It's a pleasure to have you in class." She shook his outstretched hand. "And I quite agree. My time here is long overdue."

"It's horrendous what Dumbledore has been allowed to undertake here. I wanted to personally let you know that I am thankful you are putting an end to the violent tendencies this class creates."

"Don't lay it on too thick," Black warned, but Draco figured this woman could be coated in enough compliments that she couldn't breathe and would still be hoping for more.

"I am glad to hear it. I see your father in you, someone who respects authority and values stability and purity."

"Thank you, Professor. I also wanted to let you know that I am happy to assist you. I believe we are in alignment, and I am happy to help you make Hogwarts not only safer but great again."

Black rolled his eyes.

"I'll keep that in mind. Having a prefect, such as yourself, could be quite beneficial in helping the student population."

"Again, I am happy to help. I don't want the likes of Potter ruining the school for everyone else."

"Quite right! We'll stay in contact, Mister Malfoy."

Relieved that it went smoothly and that Umbridge didn't seem suspicious, he started towards his next mark. Snape. They had decided that he was probably their best lead at getting into the restricted section. His favouritism towards Slytherin students would hopefully limit the number of questions he asked.

On his way to the Dungeons, Draco asked Black, "What was Snape like as a student?"

Regulus snorted. "He was a bit of a git." He glanced at Draco, measuring his reactions, "But in truth, he doesn't seem that different from how he is now. Maybe a bit more reserved, but still greasy and stuck up. Apparently he even still harbours hatred for Potters."

"Were you friends? You were close in age right?" That was a weird thought comparing the 20-year-old man in front of him now and his much older potions professor.

"Not really. He was a year older, and when he joined the Death Eaters, he wasn't-"

"He was a Death Eater?!"

"Did you not know? I guess the Dark Lord likes to keep identities secret. Only he knew them all, and I guess it wouldn't do you much good nowadays to announce it. I am surprised your father never spoke of it."

"My father doesn't particularly like Snape. Said he was always too close to Dumbledore." Draco could hardly believe his professor served the Dark Lord, maybe he should start seeking more mentorship from him.

"You probably shouldn't let him know that you know."

"Yeah," Draco agreed easily. He didn't need anyone asking more questions. They reached Snape's office soon enough. Draco knocked and cracked open the door when the muffled "Enter" came. Snape was at his desk quill perched above a stack of parchment.

"Do you need something Draco?"

"Actually yes, professor." He stepped fully into the room. "I was hoping to get access to the restricted section. I know it's forbidden for non-OWL students, but given my prefect status I was hoping you'd make an exception."

"You want full access? It is usual for younger students to request on a book-by-book basis."

"Yes, but I am working on a large project and I wouldn't want to keep pestering you."

"What's the project?"

Draco steeled himself, time to test what Black and him had come up with.

"I am cataloguing rare magic. I started over the summer with some of the books in the Malfoy library, there is a lot of stuff that isn't in normal curriculums."

Snapped eyed him carefully, trying to judge his sincerity. "And what are you doing with this knowledge?"

"For now, just writing down the references." Snape contemplated that response.

"I will grant access, provided you promise you will not try any of the spells you encounter without my supervision and you provide me updates on your research monthly. Failure to do so will result in me revoking access and recommending the staff to do the same."

Draco tried to sneak a glance at Black. Was it worth it to create some bullshit list of spells, just to get unlimited access? Black, sensing Draco's indecision, moved behind Snape and nodded his head.

"Alright. I can agree to those terms."

Snape nodded. "I'll notify Madam Pince this evening."

"Thank you, sir."

When they were back out of the room and in the hallway, Black said, "Well, at least this will get you some interesting spells to show off in your OWL practicals."

Draco just groaned in response, knowing that his free time just hit a new low between getting Black's body back and homework and quidditch practice and prefect rounds. This year was going to be exhausting.

It took another 2 days before Draco received his first letter from his father. The family's eagle owl appeared just earlier than the rest of the post.

Draco,

I have heard that you have made a good impression on Dolores Umbridge. I implore you to continue building that relationship. She will be appointed to a bigger role soon, and I need you to leverage the opportunity to improve Hogwarts from the likes of others.

As for your insight about Potter's dog, I am impressed. As you will see shortly we have reason to believe the beast is dangerous. If you have any other intel to share, do so. I expect great things from you.

Lucius

"Huh? He's a lot nicer when he's not talking to your face, but what kind of prick signs his first name?" Draco didn't respond, and the rest of the post arrived. His copy of the Daily Prophet announced Dolores Umbridge as High Inquisitor and reported a sighting of Sirius Black in London. Draco knew the news should have brought him joy. His father had acknowledged his insights. Draco had been useful, but all he felt was the urge to throw up.

He shoved both his father's letter and paper in his pocket, needing some air from the buzz of the great hall. Once he was out and alone again he asked Black, "What information can I tell my father?"

"What do you mean?"

"He wasn't just being nice in the letter. He expects me to give him more." He felt his breath pick up pace.

"What happens if you don't?" Black asked carefully.

That was an uncomfortable thought. Holidays would be unbearable. His father might punish him, or worse ignore him. Instead of responding, Draco said, "Help me find something to say. This is part of your deal with me."

"Fine. Does he know that Hagrid is absent?"

The topic of Black's questioning caught him off guard. "I have no idea. Why should he care about that?"

"Think. Why would it be important?"

"If you know something, just tell me." Draco ground his teeth, Black was infuriating at times like these.

"No, you can figure this one out. You'll have to learn to do it yourself if you want to succeed as a death eater. Why would Hagrid be gone?"

"Because he's a half-breed and shouldn't be allowed to teach."

"We both know that's not why he's gone. It's a temporary absence. Why would he be gone?"

Draco considered, trying to slow his breathing and think. Just the fact that Black thought it was so suspicious was a lead. It had to be because of Dumbledore. Dumbledore had a soft spot for the oath, and in turn Hagrid would probably do just about anything for the old man.

"Dumbledore has him on a mission."

"Good. What do you think the mission is?"

Draco hesitated. There would only be one scenario in which Hagrid might actually be useful, "Giants?"

"Bingo. Or at least I find it the most likely. He's trying to beat the Dark Lord in recruitment."

"The Dark Lord wouldn't recruit giants!"

"Of course he would. He'd do anything to win. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't already have contact with local werewolf packs and other 'half-breeds'. They are powerful and could be convinced to attack their oppressors."

"But they're-" Draco spluttered.

"Inferior? Possibly, but the Dark Lord can and will use them. When he wins, he'll let them go or more likely kill them."

Draco shuddered. This would be good info and his father would respect him for it, but he couldn't shake the uneasiness of knowing that recruitment of dangerous creatures for a war was going on. The rest of the world was either blissfully ignorant or in denial, and Draco didn't want to be in either category.

Another week into the year, Draco could say that this was definitely his favourite year at Hogwarts. Despite the complete lack of free time and threat of existential dread, he was learning from Black. Potter was more tolerable than previously, being more focused on his own house's perception of him than slandering Slytherins. Even his own classmates were more comfortable with him. Black claimed it was because he was probably less of an asshole between channelling his extra energy into projects and not teasing Potter.

Even Quidditch took on a new life. Black had been a seeker in his years and was bloody good at it. There was the slight complication of not being able to fly with the ring on. The speed was too much for whatever magic was keeping him attached to the ring. He'd either be pulled behind the broom like a rag doll or flicker out of existence until the broom slowed again. Both of which were extremely nauseating to Black. Draco could however freeze in the air, slip on the ring, have two sets of eyes on the pitch, and slide it off before moving again.

Black grumbled about it, that he was meant for bigger things than helping some teenager win quidditch, but Draco knew that he secretly loved it. He was practically a teenager himself and they both loved that it greatly increased their odds of winning having two sets of eyes on the pitch.

Their research was going well, but slowed after the initial burst of information. They had some confidence in Black's magic returning if they reattached his soul, but now they were tackling how to actually get a body. The obvious choice would be to use his original, but Black claimed had no idea where it could be.

"Would Kreacher know?"

Black looked thoughtful. "He might, but we shouldn't plan on it."

"Why don't we just ask him?"

"They are things Kreacher knows that you don't know and shouldn't know."

Draco had pushed of course, but Black was firm. They would plan for getting a body in different ways. As a result, Draco found himself with a wealth of mortician spells.

Much to Black's enjoyment and to Draco's regret, he finally got assigned to Harry's detention. It had started with Umbridge's inspection of Care of Magical Creatures. The topic had turned to Hagrid's negligence and while Draco had merely pointed out that he was brutally slashed by a hippogriff, Harry had jumped in to defend the beast.

Umbridge, as expected, saw it as a sign of disrespect assigning a night of detention for the outburst. When Potter didn't back down, that quickly changed into the remainder of the week. Without prompting from Black, he knew he would be on him either way, he had approached Umbridge after class asking if he could assist in Potter's detentions. She was far too eager to agree. Black was ecstatic.

He arrived at Umbridge's office several minutes before Potter. "Ah welcome, Mister Malfoy. I have matters to attend to this evening, but I trust you make sure Potter's message sinks in enough. Feel free to keep him as late as needed, I won't check back." The message was clear, Draco could do what he wanted. She handed over a black quill. "He's doing lines. He'll know which."

Draco smirked. Lines? Boring as hell, but at least Black was overreacting to the cruelty of the detention. Speaking of which, Black was looking at the quill curiously, frowning slightly. He didn't look as relieved about the revelation. Potter arrived shortly.

"Malfoy? What are you doing here?"

"I am responsible for your detention."

"What? Where's Umbridge?"

"Busy. Surprisingly, not everyone wants to spend the evening with you."

Potter scowled. "Oh, but you do?"

"I like to see people in their place, what can I say?"

Black was shooting him warning glances, he was probably toeing the line of their deal. Draco handed over the quill. Potter looked like he dreaded what was to come.

"Lines Potter? You're really moping over lines?"

"Whatever Malfoy. Just let me know when I'm done." He started to write. Draco plopped himself into an adjacent desk with a smirk. Black watched Potter carefully.

After a few minutes, he came closer to Draco and said, "Don't react, but look at what he is writing."

Draco did. It was red ink. I must not tell lies.

"It's a blood quill and It's illegal," Black informed him.

Draco's stomach flipped. These were not the lines he imagined.

"You're going to make him do this?" Black questioned as Draco just glared back. "I know, you can't blow this. Make him go a half hour, and call it off. We'll figure something out next time."

Draco didn't react.

"How good are your charms?" Draco did roll his eyes at that. "Umbridge can't know you swapped the quill, but you can charm the normal ink red and cast a charm to make it look like Potter's hand is all bloody."

Draco frowned, he remembered reading about a spell that caused a fake injury, but he didn't want to. This detention was worse than he thought, but was helping Potter worth getting the risk of getting on Umbridge's bad side? He looked at Potter then. He was grimacing, sweating, and clearly in pain. Umbridge had him at this for hours every week. Regulus eyed him.

It wouldn't hurt to explore options, so he nodded at Black. "Good."

Draco and Black sat tense for the next half hour watching Potter struggling to not make sounds and keep the same pace.

"Draco, that's enough. Call it off."

Draco glowered at Black. He couldn't. Umbridge had him here for hours normally. Besides Umbridge being the one behind this, Black couldn't call off their deal over this.

"Draco you're being a petty dick. Stop it." Draco sat stiffly. "We both know there is no reason to keep Potter here other than you want to see him in pain. Are you picking up traits from your father?" Draco froze, he looked Black in the eye, which was a direct violation of their deal. No taunting in public. He pinched the ring between his thumb and finger, the threat clear.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that last bit, but the rest still holds." He didn't sound sorry at all, but Draco was not going to be like his father in that way. Curse Black.

"You're done, Potter."

"What?"

"Dumb and apparently deaf too. You're done," Potter still looked gobsmacked, "with this detention. Out."

"What are you playing at?"

"Don't test me. Out Potter." Still looking shocked, Potter gathered his bag.

"So what? You're trying to be nice? Trying to get me to come around to all your blood supremacy? I refuse to be in debt to you."

"God, why hasn't he learned to shut up." Black mumbled.

"OUT!" Draco shouted, but held back. Black might've messed up, but Draco was better. Potter left and Draco sunk into the chair again.

"I know I said I'd hold my tongue. Thank you for listening."

Draco met Black's eye, part of him was glad Black said what he did. "It's fine. Let's get to the library, I remember reading a charm that makes injuries look worse. Maybe we can tweak it."

The library was mostly empty, the crowds thinning now that a few weeks had weeded those not serious about their studies out. He found a table away from others and started flipping through charm books. He found himself skimming since his mind kept coming back to one question. Why on earth was he doing this for Potter? He might as well ask Black why he made such a fuss over it.

"Why are you so set on helping Potter? You're dead, I see no reason for it."

"You know my brother Sirius was in Gryffindor?" Draco nodded. "James Potter was his best friend. I didn't always want to admit it, but James saved Sirius."

"Wasn't Sirius disowned? That sounds the opposite of saving."

Black ran his fingers through his hair. "You know that families are not always kind to each other. Mine was particularly bad, and they were particularly bad to Sirius. They almost killed him when he was 15."

Draco's breath caught. "What did they do?"

"They whipped him. Then Cruico'd him. He couldn't walk or talk. If he didn't have James to go to after that happened, I really think we would have died."

"Oh." Draco didn't know what to say to that, Black didn't bring up his past for a reason.

"That said, I don't want to see the same things happen to his son. I owe him for Sirius's sake."

Draco supposed he couldn't ever understand that. He didn't have a brother.

"You're doing a good thing either way. No one deserves to be treated like Umbridge does or my parents did." Black was trying to assure him, and Draco just found himself nodding.

The next day, Draco was on edge waiting for Potter to show up to his next detention. He knew Black expected him to help Potter and he had agreed to it. He knew that it was a good to not to be an active participant in the torture of another student. It was paralysing though, having two quills to choose from. It felt like he was acting against who he and his father had shaped him to be over the last few years and whoever Black was pushing for him to become.

"Now Draco," Black said as Potter arrived and moved to take the blood quill from its resting spot on Umbridge's desk. For emphasis, Black pointed to his ring finger, "Heir Ring." That's what pushed Draco over the edge. He could do this to be Heir Black.

"Potter, stop."

"What?"

"You're using my quill and ink." Potter eyed it suspiciously. "Go on. 'I must not tell lies'"

"What did you do to it?"

"Nothing."

Harry clearly didn't believe him, but apparently seeing no other option, started to write. His face twisted in confusion. After a few lines, he asked, "Is this just a normal quill?"

"It would appear that way, but I know your eyesight is lacking."

Black rolled his eyes, but Draco needed to hold onto Harry not knowing he was doing this to help. It was for the Black Ring. Harry went back to his lines, while Draco returned to his herbology essay. To make himself feel more secure he let the detention run longer than usual, it was minutes before curfew.

"Time's up Potter."

Harry dropped the quill, flexing his hand.

"Why are you doing this?" Potter asked. He didn't need to clarify it was about the quill.

"I told you, I have my own reasons."

"But what are you getting out of this?"

"What? I can't just be helping because of my altruistic nature?" They both knew that wasn't true. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me."

Draco glanced at Black who shook his head. It's not like he'd risk the truth either.

"Let's just say there is an invested party that is striving to keep you alive until the right moment."

"Really, Draco?"

"Voldemort? Are you doing his bidding now?" Draco flinched at the name and hated how fast Potter jumped to that conclusion.

"There are other powers invested in your well-being, you should be at ease."

Harry looked like he was about to respond when they heard clicking footsteps outside the room.

"Now Draco cast the spell!"

"Falsium vulinus."

Potter gasped and tried to jerk away from Draco's spell, but was too slow. His hand turned an irritating red and fake blood started to run from where the words should have been carving into his skin. Umbridge walked in before Potter could puzzle together what had just happened.

"Ah, I see you are still at it?" Umbridge sounded pleased.

"Yes, Professor, it took a little longer to sink in today," Draco smirked, trying to cover his nervousness. They had prepared the spell in case Umbridge showed, but they both hoped she wouldn't.

"Shame," her voice was leaking with the opposite sentiment. She walked forward and grabbed Potter's hand, turning it up towards her. The hand was disgusting-looking, swollen, and raw.

"Well done, Draco."

Harry looked between the two, confused.

"If that kid knows what's good for him, he'll actually keep his mouth shut this time," Black whispered.

Draco agreed of course, but it was a prime opportunity to screw over Draco. Get him to lose all trust Umbridge had in him and maybe get Draco landed into his own detentions. Despite the opportunity, Harry didn't say anything. He was probably just sick of his hand hurting and was willing to take a chance on Draco. At that moment, Draco found himself hoping that maybe he wasn't the only one willing to change his principles. At a minimum, they were both capable of acting against their natures. Potter left detention silent.