The Death Eater

Albus Dumbledore sat wearily at the head of the table, waiting for the meeting to come to order. It had been difficult to decide to call this meeting when they knew so little, but the people in this room were invested in Harry Potter and none of them deserved to hear what had happened with Draco Malfoy in the Great Hall through the children or the newspapers. He could only hope that Severus and Icarus would come soon with some news.

He rose to his feet wearily, and silenced the room with one look. The whole Order had not been summoned, only those who he felt needed to hear the news, and the few he felt may be useful. Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nymphadora Tonks had both been quickly informed of the bare outlines, and left to do their jobs in the most useful place for them right now, but Alastor was here, as was Deadelus Diggle, whose shadier connections in the Ministry could help them to access Malfoy Manor where official channels failed. Aside from those, the Weasley family had been called, Ron stoically holding Hermione as she struggled not to cry, and Molly outright weeping into her eldest son’s shirt. Even Percy had been recalled from the Ministry to help; at the very least his arrival could help heal his family. Sirius and Remus had also been summoned of course, and he couldn’t fail to notice a peculiar paleness to Sirius, although his eyes were far brighter than they had any right to be. Something was going on there, but he could do nothing now except trust Severus to deal with things.

His gaze swept over the others in the room, calculating from their faces and barely-controlled emotions who knew what had happened, who suspected, and who were waiting impatiently to find out. A few were shooting very worried glances to the Weasley contingent, who had been told what little they knew by their youngest two. The reactions in that corner were obviously a cause for concern.

“I am afraid I have very little news to impart to you, my dear colleagues, but it is news of a grave nature that I felt would be best learned here. This afternoon as he sat down to lunch, Draco Malfoy was accosted by one of his House Elves in a clearly distressed state. Words were exchanged which indicated that Lucius Malfoy was at Draco’s Manor, and was attacking Harry. Draco was immediately transported out of Hogwarts by his House Elf, and no news has as of yet been discovered by them. Icarus was summoned to the Manor a short while later, which indicates that Draco, at least, is alive, but I have heard nothing of him for several hours. Severus is attempting to discover all he can without arousing suspicion. I apologise that I cannot offer more or happier news for you, but we can only wait now and hope that this comes to a happy resolution.”

He could not bear to watch their faces as they crumpled in disbelief and fear. It had been a horrible day to discover Harry’s absence, but Severus had been constantly reassuring of the boy’s life. And while considering the boy in Draco Malfoy’s control had been harrowing for them all, at least they had the relief that he was still alive; and the hope things would come out well. Now there was little hope and no reassurance, they could but wait.

“Albus?” He looked up at the soft words from the doorway, pleased to find his absent Potions Master waiting on him. He waved him in and indicated the floor to him, pleased to notice the other man’s pause at his lovers – brief and barely perceptible as it was, but both men smiled sadly.

“I have had an enlightening, but unfortunately fruitless afternoon seeking information. All my informants tell me that Lucius has escaped custody, and most believe the Dark Lord himself was involved in the rescue. There were few agreements as to the other escapees; Bellatrix and Rudolphus are believed to be among them, but Lucius is the only one they can agree on. Apparently Lucius sought out a number of people, and appeared a little unhinged. Several tell me that he threatened and bribed for information on his son, and I have two separate accounts of him requesting that the Dark Lord grant him either Harry or his estate again. Neither was certain of which, but both were certain that he was refused, painfully, and that it was made clear by a number of people that Draco was considered on his way to usurping Lucius’ position at the Dark Lord’s Lieutenant.”

Severus looked away from the suspicious or worried gazes of his colleagues to study his hands, which appeared momentarily to have a small tremor. Had he been cursed?

“His movements here are momentarily unclear, there appears to be a discrepancy of several hours between his interview with the Dark Lord and his next known whereabouts. My informer tells me he appeared in Knockturn Alley, and has apparently secured himself a Wand, as the Ministry still has his, Draco holds the spares and the Dark Lord did not give him one. He also entered the Apothecary, but I do not know what, if anything, he gained there. He then Apparated from the Alley and was not seen again, however this would be approximately an hour before Yuna arrived in the Great Hall, and he may therefore have gone directly to the Manor. Neither the Dark Lord nor his associates have yet discovered the supposed attack.”

“What’s he want? Why’s he gone after Harry?” Ron asked him quietly when he finished talking. His lips were a white compressed line, but his ears were red; he was clearly very distressed.

“I believe he wants what he thinks is rightfully his – his Estate, his status with the Dark Lord, and Harry. From what I can glean, he blames Draco for having these things, believes the boy has betrayed him. I believe he may want Draco dead – with him gone the Estate would revert to him in absentia, and he could have Harry carry his new Heir. Or he may simply want to kill Harry; he does not appear entirely lucid.”

“So... So you think he’s gone to... To...” Sirius trailed off, incapable of completing his question. Remus’ grip tightened perceptibly on him.

“I believe it would have been Lucius’ intention to rape Harry, and lie in wait for Draco’s return to the Manor to murder him. But that is purely speculation on Lucius’ actions, his term with the Dementors may have made him less than stable and incapable of making rational decisions.”

“You were right, though.” A weary, pained voice chimed in when it was clear Severus was finished speaking. Icarus stepped to the front of the room, and addressed the gathered audience. “Harry is alive, but severely damaged. Draco is looking after him, and has declared his intentions to come to us for protection, as soon as he has organised his affairs. I believe Drippe may also be leaving before he comes under His eye for any involvement he has in Draco’s business. I have agreed to give him an hour before I take my information to the Dark Lord, which allows me a short opportunity to inform Albus of everything. Be reassured, however; Harry is coming home.”

He nodded to the Wizards and Witches in front of him, and retired from the room to deliver the full report in private. The others could only sit, and wait; but now their waiting was full of hope for the first time in months. Harry was coming home.

End of Act 1