**Disclaimer: All characters etc belong to J K. Rowling. This is simply my imagination and speculation as what could possible happen after Half Blood Prince.
A/N:This chapter has been reposted as of 11/08/05 thanks to a great beta by AMBER from Checkmated.
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Chapter 1: After the Flight
Draco Malfoy was so discombobulated that he had no idea what was going on. There were Death Eaters in front of him and he was pretty sure he and whoever he was with--he thought it was Snape--were being chased.
“Hurry up, Draco!” Snape said as he darted through the gates onto Hogwarts grounds that had been flung open by someone up ahead. As soon as they were out, Snape pushed him sideways into the trees, loosing sight of the others.
“What the--” Draco began, but he was shoved further into the woods and knocked down. Snape looked cautiously around.
“Severus!” someone called from far away.
“He’s gone to, ah…. take care of the boy!” another voice returned.
‘Take care of the boy?’ Malfoy thought. ‘Surely they don’t mean…’ Malfoy felt quickly for his wand but came up empty-handed. ‘It must have fallen out in the rush to get out of Hogwarts.’
“Incarcerous!” Snape whispered, and Malfoy suddenly found himself bound in ropes.
Draco just sat there, not quite comprehending what Snape was doing to him. His thoughts were interrupted when Snape’s fist collided into his jaw. He felt a few more blows in the head before the lights went out.
*
Harry continued to clutch the fake horcrux as he climbed the stairs back to Gryffindor tower to collect his things and head to the train. He had opposing ideas of going back to the Dursleys or straight to the Burrow to help with wedding preparations. He decided he should go to the Burrow. Having a few days of fun--certainly he deserved that--but he still felt guilty.
His most trusted and sacred guardians--Sirius and now Dumbledore--were both dead. How should he be allowed fun and games and love when they were gone? He shook his head and softly said the password to get into the tower.
A few minutes later, while giving his trunk a last check before closing it, he saw a small package that he didn’t recognize tucked at the bottom. With a quick check to make sure he was alone, he picked up the package, got on his bad and shut the curtains. There was a letter and a small box containing some odd, familiar items.
As he unfolded the letter, he saw words appearing as if they were just being written.
Dear Harry,
I trust that, since this has reached you, not only have I died (something I am quite sorry for, my boy) but things are looking quite bleak.
In times like these, we learn that there are those we can count on who we never thought we would and those we thought we could count on will let us down. No doubt you are confused but all will be revealed in time.
I am leaving to you the items through which we witnessed the memories in the pensive. They could do a great deal for swaying to your side those who have doubt. Use them wisely.
I love you, Harry, like my own son. Give Ron, Hermione and Ginny my love.
Forever,
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Harry’s tears fell fast onto the parchment and he barely moved it aside before soaking it through.
How could he have known? The answer was clear. He’d always known… he’d known all along and he never told anyone! He knew Malfoy’s pathetic little tricks were meant for him, he knew the Death Eaters would kill him! He let them kill him!
A rustle of his bed curtains stunned him and stopped his tears.
“Harry?” It was Ron. “We’ve got to get to the train. You all right mate? I mean…. That’s a dumb questions but--”
“I’ll be right there,” Harry said, trying to set his voice straight. He wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands and stuffed the letter in a jacket pocket. He would put the box in his pack and keep it close to him on the train. He couldn’t let anyone see these things…. Not yet.
*
Draco Malfoy awoke with severe pain in his head, his back, and his legs. He could barely move. He gasped for breath and he could feel his lungs ache. What had happened?
He sat up gingerly on a sore elbow and looked around. It was daylight but dark in the forest where he lay. No one else was around.
He gasped in pain as he tried to sit up further. He wiped his face and saw blood when he pulled his hands away. That idiot Snape! It all came rushing back to him. Everything played out in front of his eyes. He saw himself attempting to kill Dumbledore but without any heart in his attempt. He saw himself and Snape running together off the Hogwarts grounds, being chased. He saw Snape lean into him and talk. And then he saw himself laying there looking nearly dead and he heard Snape’s voice.
“Go to Madam Pomfrey. She can heal you if you get there in time. They think I’ve killed you. You will now be considered dead to all Death Eaters. I’ve left a package for you in the hospital wing. Accio it. All you need is inside. I’ve also left you directions of where to go, items to show those who will help you, and a bit of money. I have done as your mother wishes and now you will be safe--but only if you do as I have instructed. Go!”
Draco shook his head. The Death Eaters thought he was dead? They thought Snape had killed him? It was all part of his mother's wishes? Nothing made sense.
Getting slowly and painfully to his feet, Draco tried to get his bearings and find his way back to Hogwarts. He patted around his waist searching for his wand. Daft! He’d lost it. He dropped to the ground and began to search wildly around in the dirt and leaves. He was almost to tears when his hand came across what could be a stick but in fact was a wand.
“Point me!” he commanded, and his wand obeyed. He headed back towards the gates. As he approached the edge of the woods, he saw many witches and wizards pouring out of the gates. Many were crying. How long had he been out? Could this be Dumbledore’s funeral? It must have been a few days. Judging by the monster squirming in his stomach, he guessed it had been. At least Madam Pomfrey would have food for him--surely.
He waited behind a tree as the mourners continued to spill out of the gates. As he saw them begin to close and the passersby became farther away, he slipped inside, sticking as close to the wall as possible. He would have to avoid being seen until he found himself in Madam Pomfrey’s care.
*
Harry and Ron headed for the Hogwarts grand entrance to their way to the train. Harry heard someone frantically calling his name and running behind them. He turned and saw Madam Pomfrey.
“Harry! You must come with me at once!”
“But…the train… I--”
“Professor McGonagall will see to it that you get to your destination safely,” she gasped as she caught up to Harry and Ron. Harry looked to Ron who shrugged. Madam Pomfrey nodded to Ron.
“Guess I’ll catch up with you later then, mate,” Harry shrugged, looking confused. Ron nodded and set off. Harry turned and followed Madam Pomfrey up to the hospital wing. She stopped him before opening the door.
“Now Harry, there is someone inside who you must help. It is someone you may not want to help but just listen to what he has to tell you and I think you’ll be all right.” She eyes him questioningly.
Harry didn’t know what to do other than nod unsurely. As the door opened, he saw Professor McGonagall sitting in a chair looking over someone he couldn’t see, but judging by the set-up this person was in, who ever it was, they were badly hurt. Broken limbs were being mended and skin was badly bruised.
As he came closer he saw… Malfoy?
A/N:This chapter has been reposted as of 11/08/05 thanks to a great beta by AMBER from Checkmated.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 1: After the Flight
Draco Malfoy was so discombobulated that he had no idea what was going on. There were Death Eaters in front of him and he was pretty sure he and whoever he was with--he thought it was Snape--were being chased.
“Hurry up, Draco!” Snape said as he darted through the gates onto Hogwarts grounds that had been flung open by someone up ahead. As soon as they were out, Snape pushed him sideways into the trees, loosing sight of the others.
“What the--” Draco began, but he was shoved further into the woods and knocked down. Snape looked cautiously around.
“Severus!” someone called from far away.
“He’s gone to, ah…. take care of the boy!” another voice returned.
‘Take care of the boy?’ Malfoy thought. ‘Surely they don’t mean…’ Malfoy felt quickly for his wand but came up empty-handed. ‘It must have fallen out in the rush to get out of Hogwarts.’
“Incarcerous!” Snape whispered, and Malfoy suddenly found himself bound in ropes.
Draco just sat there, not quite comprehending what Snape was doing to him. His thoughts were interrupted when Snape’s fist collided into his jaw. He felt a few more blows in the head before the lights went out.
*
Harry continued to clutch the fake horcrux as he climbed the stairs back to Gryffindor tower to collect his things and head to the train. He had opposing ideas of going back to the Dursleys or straight to the Burrow to help with wedding preparations. He decided he should go to the Burrow. Having a few days of fun--certainly he deserved that--but he still felt guilty.
His most trusted and sacred guardians--Sirius and now Dumbledore--were both dead. How should he be allowed fun and games and love when they were gone? He shook his head and softly said the password to get into the tower.
A few minutes later, while giving his trunk a last check before closing it, he saw a small package that he didn’t recognize tucked at the bottom. With a quick check to make sure he was alone, he picked up the package, got on his bad and shut the curtains. There was a letter and a small box containing some odd, familiar items.
As he unfolded the letter, he saw words appearing as if they were just being written.
Dear Harry,
I trust that, since this has reached you, not only have I died (something I am quite sorry for, my boy) but things are looking quite bleak.
In times like these, we learn that there are those we can count on who we never thought we would and those we thought we could count on will let us down. No doubt you are confused but all will be revealed in time.
I am leaving to you the items through which we witnessed the memories in the pensive. They could do a great deal for swaying to your side those who have doubt. Use them wisely.
I love you, Harry, like my own son. Give Ron, Hermione and Ginny my love.
Forever,
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Harry’s tears fell fast onto the parchment and he barely moved it aside before soaking it through.
How could he have known? The answer was clear. He’d always known… he’d known all along and he never told anyone! He knew Malfoy’s pathetic little tricks were meant for him, he knew the Death Eaters would kill him! He let them kill him!
A rustle of his bed curtains stunned him and stopped his tears.
“Harry?” It was Ron. “We’ve got to get to the train. You all right mate? I mean…. That’s a dumb questions but--”
“I’ll be right there,” Harry said, trying to set his voice straight. He wiped his eyes with the backs of his hands and stuffed the letter in a jacket pocket. He would put the box in his pack and keep it close to him on the train. He couldn’t let anyone see these things…. Not yet.
*
Draco Malfoy awoke with severe pain in his head, his back, and his legs. He could barely move. He gasped for breath and he could feel his lungs ache. What had happened?
He sat up gingerly on a sore elbow and looked around. It was daylight but dark in the forest where he lay. No one else was around.
He gasped in pain as he tried to sit up further. He wiped his face and saw blood when he pulled his hands away. That idiot Snape! It all came rushing back to him. Everything played out in front of his eyes. He saw himself attempting to kill Dumbledore but without any heart in his attempt. He saw himself and Snape running together off the Hogwarts grounds, being chased. He saw Snape lean into him and talk. And then he saw himself laying there looking nearly dead and he heard Snape’s voice.
“Go to Madam Pomfrey. She can heal you if you get there in time. They think I’ve killed you. You will now be considered dead to all Death Eaters. I’ve left a package for you in the hospital wing. Accio it. All you need is inside. I’ve also left you directions of where to go, items to show those who will help you, and a bit of money. I have done as your mother wishes and now you will be safe--but only if you do as I have instructed. Go!”
Draco shook his head. The Death Eaters thought he was dead? They thought Snape had killed him? It was all part of his mother's wishes? Nothing made sense.
Getting slowly and painfully to his feet, Draco tried to get his bearings and find his way back to Hogwarts. He patted around his waist searching for his wand. Daft! He’d lost it. He dropped to the ground and began to search wildly around in the dirt and leaves. He was almost to tears when his hand came across what could be a stick but in fact was a wand.
“Point me!” he commanded, and his wand obeyed. He headed back towards the gates. As he approached the edge of the woods, he saw many witches and wizards pouring out of the gates. Many were crying. How long had he been out? Could this be Dumbledore’s funeral? It must have been a few days. Judging by the monster squirming in his stomach, he guessed it had been. At least Madam Pomfrey would have food for him--surely.
He waited behind a tree as the mourners continued to spill out of the gates. As he saw them begin to close and the passersby became farther away, he slipped inside, sticking as close to the wall as possible. He would have to avoid being seen until he found himself in Madam Pomfrey’s care.
*
Harry and Ron headed for the Hogwarts grand entrance to their way to the train. Harry heard someone frantically calling his name and running behind them. He turned and saw Madam Pomfrey.
“Harry! You must come with me at once!”
“But…the train… I--”
“Professor McGonagall will see to it that you get to your destination safely,” she gasped as she caught up to Harry and Ron. Harry looked to Ron who shrugged. Madam Pomfrey nodded to Ron.
“Guess I’ll catch up with you later then, mate,” Harry shrugged, looking confused. Ron nodded and set off. Harry turned and followed Madam Pomfrey up to the hospital wing. She stopped him before opening the door.
“Now Harry, there is someone inside who you must help. It is someone you may not want to help but just listen to what he has to tell you and I think you’ll be all right.” She eyes him questioningly.
Harry didn’t know what to do other than nod unsurely. As the door opened, he saw Professor McGonagall sitting in a chair looking over someone he couldn’t see, but judging by the set-up this person was in, who ever it was, they were badly hurt. Broken limbs were being mended and skin was badly bruised.
As he came closer he saw… Malfoy?
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