Nothing is what it seems

Author’s Note:

Thanks again for the reviews

Another kind of sad chapter coming up. Well, I’ll let you be the judge of that =)

--------------------------------------

Over the next few days, Harry learnt just how hard he had fallen for Draco. Until now, he had told himself it was just a bit of fun. Although he had had a nagging voice at the back of his mind telling him he was falling in love, he had just tried to push it away. It was not what he wanted to hear and had been sure Draco had not wanted to hear it. The last time Harry could really remember crying was over Sirius’ death. Up until now, anyway.

He replayed the last time he had seen Draco in his mind. He could not help but regret telling him what he had. Draco had not even really reacted. Knowing that Draco did not feel the same way truly hurt Harry. He had spent his time moping around since he had left, to the dismay of Ron and Hermione. They had spent the first day pressing him for information, but when it became obvious he was not going to tell them, they gave up and gave him some space.

One thing that he found himself wondering about was whether he would see Draco again. Not that it even mattered. He had made it clear where his loyalties lie, and they were certainly not with Harry. It was not that they had broken up that was affecting Harry so much. Or even that he did not love him. It was that he had joined the other side of the war.

He was aiding Harry’s murder.

He quickly tried to chase these thoughts away, finding them too painful to consider. He stood up, deciding he needed to walk. Having no particular destination in mind, he picked up his wand and left the dormitory. As he entered Gryffindor common room, he became extremely paranoid when people stopped talking. He quickened his pace, needing to get out of there as soon as possible. As he exited through the portrait, he was aware of somebody following him.

“Harry!”

Harry turned around to see a flustered Hermione. He waited for her to speak.

“Please tell me what’s wrong, Harry. You’ve hardly spoken to anyone over the past three days.” She waited for him to answer.

“Look, Hermione,” Harry began, trying to think of an excuse, “I’ve just been really tired lately, that’s all. I’ve had loads of homework to do and quidditch takes up a lot of my time. I just wanted to rest for a bit.”

Hermione relaxed a little bit when he said this. “Are you sure there’s nothing else?” She asked him.

“Positive.” Harry said, with a reassuring nod.

“Come back inside. It’s really cold outside.” She told him.

“No, I’m just going to go for a walk. You go back in.” He added with a smile.

She hugged him and told him she would see him later. He walked away, feeling guilty for lying to her but knowing he had not really had much other choice. After all, what could he tell her? That he had fallen for Draco Malfoy, their enemy, who had now joined Lord Voldemort. He did not think so.

He was wandering down the corridor in a world of his own, when he collided with Dumbledore, who was walking round a corner.

“I’m so sorry, Professor. I wasn’t looking where I was going.” Harry quickly said.

“It’s quite easily done, Harry. I was just looking for you, actually.” He said, with a twinkle in his eye.

“Oh. Really?” Harry was surprised. “What for, Professor?”

“If you would just like to accompany me to my office, we will continue this discussion there.” Dumbledore said. He turned around and began to walk in the direction of his office. Harry followed him, wondering what Dumbledore wanted to speak to him about that was obviously private.

When they reached the statue at the bottom of the stairs, Dumbledore muttered the password and they both stepped on the stairs as they began to spiral upwards. Once they reached the office, Dumbledore sat down in his chair behind his desk.

“Please sit down, Harry.” Dumbledore requested, as he pointed to the chair.

Harry sat down, feeling uncomfortable. It had been a while since he had been in this office. He looked at Dumbledore expectantly, waiting for him to say something. However, he said nothing. Instead, he studied Harry. Harry felt extremely uncomfortable and decided to say something instead.

“What did you need to see me about, Sir?” He asked.

“I wanted to ask you about Draco Malfoy.”

“What about him?” He said, a bit too quickly.

Dumbledore looked at him curiously over the top of his glasses. “Well, as you may know, he has unexpectedly left school. Professor Snape tells me that you two became rather close.”

“What?” Harry spluttered.

“I do not wish to know the exact details, as I am sure you would not wish to share them. The reason I have called you here is of a serious nature.” Dumbledore paused once more, as if waiting for Harry to react. Harry made a special effort not to give anything away. Dumbledore continued. “The Ministry have found the loaction where Lucius, Draco and other death eaters are hiding. They are now arming themselves so that they can capture them. They will all be immediately handed over to the dementors.”

Harry’s heart spectacularly sunk. He could not believe this was happening. But then he realised one small fact that could change everything.

“But Draco isn’t a death eater!” Harry exclaimed. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows slightly at his use of Draco’s first name, but did not comment on it.

“That will not matter, Harry. He is with them and is part of it now.”

“Is there nothing we can do?” Harry asked in a pleading way.

“Well perhaps if somebody could get there before the Ministry and persuade him to come away, then not all will be lost.”

Harry did not even hesitate before making his next declaration. “I’ll do it.”

“I think it would be wise if a trained wizard were to confront this situation...” Dumbledore remarked. He was interrupted by Harry.

“…But I’ll be more likely to be able to persuade him. Why would he listen to a complete stranger?” Harry cut in eagerly.

There was a long pause while Dumbledore considered this. “It is dangerous.” He said in a quiet voice.

“I have faced Voldemort every year so far. I hardly think this is more dangerous.” Harry quickly added. He knew that he was beginning to sound reckless but he did not have much time.

“Yes, Harry. But all of these were outside of my control. I cannot just let you enter a situation full of many death eaters who are both fully trained and in league with Lord Voldemort.”

“I’ll take my invisibility cloak.”

“Invisibility cloaks do not offer protection, Harry. In fact, many wizards are trained not to be fooled by them.”

Harry knew this was true. Whenever he had been wearing his cloak and had passed Dumbledore, he had always been sure that he knew he was there. He was losing this fight, he knew. Why couldn’t Dumbledore see how important this was?

“Please Professor.” Harry wondered if he should say the next bit. He thought it may change Dumbledore’s thoughts on the situation but he did not know if he wanted to tell him. However, he finally decided that if it determined whether Draco lived or died, it was worth it. “I love him.” He did not bring his gaze up to meet Dumbledore’s, but focused on the desk.

Harry had expected Dumbledore to remark on the unsuitability of this match, or even comment on the fact that they were both male. However, Dumbledore did no such thing. Instead, he said, “Love makes us do irrational things, Harry.”

Harry was surprised that the older man did not disapprove. He looked up at Dumbledore and saw that he was smiling. He tried again. “Please, Professor.” He whispered.

Dumbledore studied him for a few moments, the smile not leaving his face. “Love is the strongest magic,” He began.

“Yeah, I know. You’ve told me before.” Harry said. He knew he was being rude, but time was being wasted. He was not prepared to lose another person close to him. If he had known where Draco was, he would have already gone. However, he had to wait for Dumbledore to reveal the location. He was becoming impatient.

“If I do let you go, I need to impress the importance of this upon you.”

“I do know it is important. I will be careful. Please. There might not be much time.” Harry said quickly.

Dumbledore remained motionless for a few moments as he observed Harry. Harry sat there trying to be patient. Dumbledore finally nodded. “You will need your invisibility cloak. Although it does not offer you full protection, you will find that it will keep you safer than if you did not have it.” Upon hearing this, Harry jumped up and dashed out of the office without another word. He ran all the way to the common room, knocking over several first years along the way. When he finally reached the common room, he gave the portrait the password and stumbled through. Everybody looked up when Harry entered. However, he did not stop but ran up to his dormitory to fetch his cloak. Once he had gone upstairs, the people in the common room exchanged worried glances. Harry had looked like he was in quite a rush - falling through the portrait entrance panting. Hermione stood up to go and find him to check that he was ok. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, about to walk up them, Harry pushed past her without saying a word. He ran to the portrait and exited just as abruptly as he had entered.

Harry ran back to Dumbledore’s office, not noticing anybody along the way. His mind was too focused on what was going to happen next to worry about whether he pushed past people. Within minutes of leaving, he was back in Dumbledore’s office, completely out of breath and grasping his cloak in his left hand.

“Sit down, while I inform you of the details.” Dumbledore requested. Harry did as he was told, still panting from his run. “It is important that you do not reveal yourself in front of the death eaters, Harry. They will surely kill you. Do you understand?” Harry noticed that the smile Dumbledore had worn previously had been replaced with a look of serious concern. Harry nodded. Dumbledore continued, “It is unlikely that Draco has been put under any kind of enchantment, but if he is, then you must leave immediately.”

Harry did not respond to this command. He was certain he would not be able to leave Draco, under any circumstance.

“Harry. Do you understand?” Dumbledore asked, louder this time. Harry hesitated. “If you cannot agree to that, then I am afraid I cannot permit you to go.” Dumbledore said. Harry gave in.

“Ok.” Was all he said. He was not happy about it, but he knew he would be stopped from going otherwise. He had regained his breath by now, his vast amount of quidditch practice over the years had caused him to become extremely fit.

“I trust you have your wand?” Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded and pulled it out of his pocket to confirm it. “I will apparate you there.”

“I wasn’t aware you could apparate anyone else?” Harry asked, sure Dumbledore had got it wrong.

“It is very complicated magic and it is rarely used. In fact, it is not supposed to be used. But you cannot apparate, can you?” Dumbledore explained. Harry shook his head to the last question. “Well, that’s settled then.” Dumbledore confirmed. “Are you sure about this, Harry? I will not think any less of you if you change your mind.” He asked. Harry confirmed this was definitely what he wanted. “Good luck.” Was the last thing Dumbledore said before waving his wand and casting a spell that Harry had never heard before.

Harry closed his eyes as he apparated. He did not like this sensation but remembered that he was on his way to save Draco. This thought distracted him from the unpleasant feeling. He did not open his eyes until he had landed on the floor with a thud. Realising he must be there, he opened his eyes and saw that he was in an empty room. He quickly put on his invisibility cloak and a horrible thought came to him. He did not know how he was going to get back to Hogwarts. Panicking briefly, he stood there frozen. But then he decided he would think about that when the problem aroused. He looked round the room. It was very plain. The walls were a cream/yellow colour and the floor was made of stone.

He froze when he heard voices coming from the next room. The door was open, so he stood in the doorway to see what was going on.

“They will not find us here.” Someone said. Harry recognised the man as Lucius Malfoy.

“Are you sure? It’s not very well hidden, is it?” Harry did not know the person who had said this.

“Shut up. Do you think I would have brought us he if we were not safe, Goyle.” Lucius shouted, obviously beginning to get annoyed. “Draco, get me my wand.”

Harry’s eyes swept round the room, looking for Draco. He finally saw him sitting in the corner. Upon his father’s command, Draco quickly stood up and left the room. He returned moments later with Lucius’ wand. He then announced he was going to bed and left the room. Harry followed him, knowing he had an opportunity to speak to him alone.

Harry saw which room Draco had walked into and followed moments later. As he swung the door open, Draco turned around abruptly to see who had entered. When he saw no one, he looked frightened. After scanning the room, he cleared his throat.

“Harry?” He whispered.

Harry took off his cloak. “How did you know?” He asked him.

“Doors never used to miraculously open without anyone entering before I met you.” Draco remarked. He then came to his senses. “What are you doing here?! My father will kill you if he finds you.” He had a high amount of urgency in his voice.

“Draco, the Ministry know where you are all hidden. They are planning an attack as we speak.” Harry said.

Harry had expected Draco to be scared. Or perhaps even startled. What he definitely did not expect was for him to not even respond.

“Did you hear me?!” Harry said, a little louder.

“Yes. I heard you.”

“You need to come back with me.” Harry concluded.

“No. I can’t.” Draco replied, turning away from him.

“Why not?”

“I have to remain loyal to my father. Please do not ask me to choose.”

Harry’s patience was wearing thin. “I am not asking you to choose between me and your father. I am asking you to choose between life and death.”

“Well, I will have to choose death then. I am not afraid.” Draco replied, with no emotion in his voice.

“This is not you.” Harry considered vocally.

“Yes, it is! It is me! This is what I’ve been trying to show you all along. Now you will perhaps listen to me?” Draco shouted, turning around to look at Harry once more.

Harry decided to try another approach. “I meant what I said when you left.” He said quietly.

“Please. I told you before, do not say that. It is hard enough for me as it is.” Draco said, pleadingly.

“But it doesn’t have to be. Come back with me. You will be protected.” Harry said, touching Draco’s arm. Draco did not pull away this time. He leant into his touch. “I cannot lose you again.” Harry said simply. Draco’s resistance was weakening. Harry could tell. They were now leaning against each other, their faces only centimetres apart.

“I cannot return. Please leave now. I do not want them to find you here.” Draco told him.

“If you won’t come back, then I won’t go back either.” Harry breathed, meaning every word of it.

Draco cupped Harry’s face with his hands and kissed him longingly. He broke away after a few moments and looked into his eyes. “Please.” He pleaded.

“No.” Harry replied. “Only if you come with me.”

Their tender moment was broken by the sound of shouting downstairs. Harry suddenly heard curses and spells being cast and immediately knew that the Ministry were there. Draco became desperate.

“Go, Harry! Go now!” He shouted.

As Harry had heard the Ministry break in, he had noticed a book appear on the bed beside them. He realised that it was a portkey that had most likely been put there by Dumbledore. The problem was not that he could not get back, it was that he was not prepared to leave without Draco.

“Not without you!” Harry shouted back.

Draco paused for a moment. “Ok, Harry. I’ll come back.” He said quietly. Harry felt elated. He kissed him hard, and pulled away just as quickly. Draco seemed saddened, but Harry guessed that it was just because he was reluctant to leave his father.

“There’s a portkey there. On my count of three, we’ll grab it at the same time, yeah?” Harry spoke quickly, aware that the voices were getting closer. Draco nodded in agreement. Although he looked anything but happy.

“Right. One…Two…” Harry began. Suddenly, he was aware that people were right outside the door. With this, he shouted the last number. “Three!” As he grabbed onto the portkey, there was a brief second before anything happened. In this brief moment, he saw something that sent panic pulsing through him.

Draco did not touch the portkey.