HPNSA - BOOK ONE

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
FULCRUM

TIMELINE: JANUARY 11 - 15, 1998


“Hush!” Draco said, the baby was crying loudly and squirmed in his arms. “What is wrong? Candice I think there’s something wrong with him,”

“He’s hungry,” Candice said, looking at the rear-view mirror for the nth time. “Don’t s’pose that friend o’ yours is lactating, is he?”

“No, only his lower part is female,” Draco said. “The rest of him is male. Didn’t we buy some milk for him back there?”

“Yes, do you know how to mix it?” Candice said.

“I have to try, don’t I?” Draco then reached for the can of milk that they bought at the store where they’ve made their first and last stop over. They have been driving for nearly two hours now. “Are these sterile?” Draco said, taking a baby bottle from the bag

“They are. It’s safe to use them.” Candice said.

Draco then reached for the distilled water, opened the can and poked the tin foil with his wand. He took the scoop and wondering how many he’d put in he looks at Candice and she told him to put one scoop of milk and mix it with two ounces of water.

“There,” Draco said slowly tipping the bottle. The baby took it greedily and sucked at it. “Now I know you are a Weasley! Always thinking of food.”

“May I ask why are we doing this?” Candice said.

“Well you said the baby’s hungry,” Draco said.

“No. Why are we leaving and where are we going?” Candice said.

“The farther you are from the these parts the better. I know there’s a train station somewhere here, about a mile I think. I asked the store owner and he told me that the last train will leave for London in about an hour. We’ll be there by then.” Draco said.

“Why London?” Candice said.

“There are many wizards in London. You wouldn’t be traced there. Even if he conjures magic, they won’t see him because he wears this, so please don’t take it off.” Draco said. “They’ll think it’s one of the resident wizards doing a bit of practice.”

“I gather you’re not coming.” Candice said. Draco did not answer. “I figured as much. And Harry, what about him?” Draco continuously fidgeted with the baby. “Draco, is he really your friend?”

Draco took a deep breath, “Candice, I am not who you think I am.”

“Yes, I suspect that much, but I think you need to explain many things to me if you expect me to at least help you better.” Candice said.

“He was my arch enemy,” Draco said smiling a bit. “I hated him. I hated everything about him.”

“Why?” Candice said.

“Because he was everything everyone wanted me to be.” Draco fidgeted with the cloak again. “I was always compared to him and he always won. My family hated me because I could not reach his stature. Hero.” He said sarcastically.

“Then why are you helping him now?” Candice said.

“Because my father tried to kill me and the only one that could save me made me swear that I would help him.” Draco said.

“So you don’t really care for him. You’re doing this because of yourself, is that it?” Candice said. “Do you still hate him?”

Draco could not answer. The question had left him doubting his own motives and feelings. For the most part he knew it was Dumbledore’s jinx that prevented him from even fighting with Harry but later on something else took over and he knew he was acting on his own. He could not accept that he has developed a soft spot for Harry for he still finds him annoying sometimes. But he endured him for four months and they were nearly friends. Right now he is even risking his own life to save Harry’s son. He asked himself if there was more inside.

They were nearing the train station now and though he dreaded the moment he knew he must go back to Harry. Candice handed him the keys but he shook his head, “If I use your car I’d either end up dead or under water. I brought my own transportation.” He pointed to the broomstick he kept in the trunk.

“You alright?” Candice asked.

“No. This may be the last time we’ll see each other.” Draco said.

“Don’t say that, Draco.” Candice said. “I never gave up on you, don’t give up on yourself. Another thing you should realize is that this baby has a family; you’re the only one who will know where he is.”

Draco nodded. “He has relatives in South Hampton and in Surrey.”

“I can’t find them. Not without you.” Candice said. “I will leave an ad in the paper everyday until you show up. It will say, looking for handsome young hero, who says he hates Potter.” She smiled at him then turned and slowly walked towards the platform where the last train for London was waiting.

Draco saw them until they got inside the car. He kissed the head of Harry’s son and hugged Candice. “I will never understand why you are kind to me, Candice. But I know that you will be rewarded for it someday.”

The train left and Draco hurriedly went to his broom and flew though the cold night air bit through his bones his heart minded it not. He needed to go back to Harry and knew that death awaited him there.

***

“Ron, you have to stop now, you’ve been searching the grounds for hours.” Rio said. “Let us do it for you.”

“Maybe we should check the cliffs one more time,” Ron said gasping for air. He leaned hard on the wall.

“Maybe you should rest.” Rio said.

“NO! I will not rest until Harry’s back!” Ron yelled.

“Man, you can barely walk!” Rio said.

“Then I’ll crawl!” Ron said sarcastically. “But I will NOT stop!”

“Why are you doing this to yourself?” Rio said. “Brother, you can’t blame yourself for this, you know better than to torture yourself. Why are you doing this?”

“Because they took him from me and I couldn’t stop them!” Ron cried.

“No Nymphrodite has been able to overcome the curse, this was bound to happen! If they failed today, they’ll try again, and again, until they have him.” Rio said.

“Then what the fuck did I go to New York for? Why did I spend a month and half away from him, risking my neck fighting your battles if there was very little hope that I would prevent this from happening?” Ron said.

“Training you as a knight gave you and him a fighting chance, but it was never meant to save him from the curse. I am sorry if you thought it gave you hope, there was never really any hope.” Rio said. “Ron, this has been happening century after century. The Training was for you so you can stay alive.”

“I would rather die, Rio. Right now part of me is dead already and the last bit of sanity that I am clinging onto is about to collapse...” Ron said. “Like the rest of this place.” He looked around and felt sorry at the sight of the once proud walls of the castle that stood here for centuries. It was almost destroyed though the house elves were hard at work, Ron could not remember a time that Hogwarts looked more miserable than it did now. He felt just like it inside he thought - A total wreck. “I will not bury Harry, Rio.” Then he sat on the snow.

“Ron,” Rio said sitting beside him. “Harry is not the only one you need to think about. You have a son together, what about him? What if he survives? You think he’ll do okay with no parents?”

Ron shook his head, he wanted to cry but his eyes have run dry. “If he survives, I’ll endure life for a short while. I can’t live without Harry, Rio. I don’t know how anymore.”

“Well, Harry is still alive. Don’t mourn for him yet.” Rio said.

“The problem with this situation is that there are so many fucking secrets! No one has one solid answer for anyone! When you get one answer another question emerges and then another, until you find yourself buried under it.” Ron said scratching his head.

“Magic was never meant to be rational, Ron. That’s why we stayed away from it for a long time. There were too many unknowns, and even now, those that are suppose to have the answers don’t.” Rio said.

“It also didn’t help that you kept me in the dark, Rio. The least you could have done was tell me the truth.” Ron said shaking his head. “I was filled with hope when there was none. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Your headmaster told us not to.” Rio said.

Ron remembered Dumbledore; he used to have all the answers although lately he seemed to be just as confused as they were. “I’m going to see him then.”

“That will be healthier for you.” Rio said.

“Pressing Albus Dumbledore for answers is really not what I want to do right now, Rio. But he usually has some kind of power in him that gives hope to those who need it.” Ron said.

“We will not stop looking, Ron.” Rio said. “Don’t throw the towel in.”

Ron nodded then went inside the castle and headed for the great hall.

***

Draco walked slowly trying not to make any sound as he went to the back door of Candice’ house. The whole place was quiet and dark – just as they left it. There was no sign that anyone has been there while they were gone. He turned the knob and went in, his wand raised before him and ready to conjure another unforgivable curse. But the house was not in shambles, no sign of forced entry, he wondered if Harry was still inside. He lowered his wand slowly and went to the bedroom.

Harry was not there and Ron’s cloak and three empty vials on the floor. He picked them up and smelled them; the aroma was very strong and he flinched as they entered his nostrils. “What the fuck?” As he threw them on the floor he felt the hair at the back of his neck stand on end. Someone was behind him breathing as though there was a gap in his mouth. He slowly turned and before he could fully see who it was a bright light was in front of his face and the force threw him against the wall. The impact felt like someone had placed his head inside a large bell and rang it. Before he could shake it off another bright light headed his way and he was thrown again and this time he broke his nose as his body hit the large dresser.

“Did you really think you can outsmart me,” Lucius said.

Draco raised his head a little and though his vision blurred he could see his father clearly – his nose was bleeding and swollen. His wand was aimed at him and Draco knew what he was about to do. He always did it and enjoyed it.

“CRUCIO!” Lucius cried. Draco screamed and twisted in pain on the floor. Lucius repeated the spell and this time Draco’s eyes shot far up its sockets. The seizures left him nearly paralyzed. The last thing he heard was Lucius’ laughter after saying, “I will not kill you - not yet.”

***

When Ron entered the great hall the students hushed up. They’ve never seen Ron like this before, dressed differently and with a different air to him. It seemed that he has grown and was much older and wiser. He went to Dumbledore; he was talking to Professor Moody, Professor Snape, and Professor Lupin.

“Ron,”

Ron turned around – it was Dean, Neville and Lee Jordan. They had bandages around their heads and scratches all over.

“We know about Harry,” Neville said.

Ron frowned but Lee told him it was Hermione who told them about it. “Well, I suppose there is no use hiding it.”

“We want to help.” Dean said.

“Yes, it was because of Harry that we were armed with spells. Only thing that kept us alive, the least we do is to help rescue him.” Lee said.

“Thanks. I am sorry that I wasn’t able to save Dennis and Parvati.” Ron said.

“They fought hard, Ron. Harry should be proud of them.” Dean said.

“Your services might be needed, be on the watch.” Ron said. Then left them and headed straight to Dumbledore.

“Yes Ron?” Dumbledore said before he could speak.

“Professor Dumbledore I wish to have a word with you, if I can please?” Ron said.

“Certainly, Ron.” Dumbledore stood and went to the side chamber. Ron followed him and Professor Lupin patted him on his shoulders as he passed him by.

“Sit down, Ron.” The side chamber was being fixed by house-elves, as was the rest of Hogwarts. The paintings were all being restored and when they entered the work was stopped and the elves apparated to another room. Dumbledore looked at Ron waiting for him to start. Ron found it hard to say a word – their headmaster has always intimidated him.

“Professor,” He began, “Is there hope?”

Dumbledore bowed his head. “There is always hope, Ron.”

“No, I mean, all this time it feels like we were being moved by an invisible hand. I feel like a chess piece,” Ron said.

“I know,” Dumbledore said. “I feel exactly as you do, Ron. Uncertainty and fear make us feel like we are not powerful enough to hold our own lives.”

“But are we? I mean you told Harry that he was part of a Prophecy that foretold of the Dark Lords’ end. Do you believe it will unfold? I mean, in Harry’s favor?” Ron said.

“Only Harry can answer that question, Ron.”

“But if Harry is not around to do it, then the question is already answered. Voldemort has won.” Ron said. Dumbledore did not answer. “Then the curse must never come to pass or the Prophecy will end in Voldemort’s favor. Is there nothing we can do? Surely the Prophecy was given for us to have hope and you have done many things to make sure that it does.”

“I thought the Prophecy would defeat the Curse, Ron.”

“Are you saying that it hasn’t?” Ron said.

“This is the first time that both have fallen on one person, Ron. Indeed, Harry is a focal point in our world’s history. He holds within him a power that might destroy this world or liberate it from absolute evil.” Dumbledore seemed to have become impotent, Ron thought. The Wizard that he and many hold in such high regard and some even feared has suddenly degenerated before him, weakened by forces that were more powerful. “When I found out that he has found his way into your arms, I wondered if this was going to provide him an escape from the curse.”

“I think it pushed him closer,” Ron said holding his head with his hands.

“I don’t think so. Ron do you realize that of all the recorded Nymphrodites Harry is the only one who will have a child?”

“Yes, he told me it might turn the curse.” Ron said.

“You don’t believe it will?” Dumbledore said.

Ron shook his head, “It did nothing. I shouldn’t have married him, I think that is what started all this.”

“You blame yourself,” Dumbledore said.

“Why shouldn’t I? I knew I shouldn’t have done it every single part of me was against it. But I went through it because,”

“Because Harry believed your love will save him from the curse.” Dumbledore said.

“But it hasn’t.” Ron said. “I failed.” The tears returned and his eyes were wet again.

“Do you understand the curse?” Dumbledore said. “Do you know how it can be turned?”

“Yes the curse of the Iranna. That no Nymphrodite was to live beyond sixteen, have children, have love or marriage.” Ron said. “Undoing it will turn the curse. Harry believed it could happen.”

“And Harry has all that, doesn’t he?” Dumbledore said. “Within that there is only one thing that Harry needs to do to turn the curse.”

Ron reviewed the curse in his mind – what was it that Harry has not acquired? He stood and paced the room then it hit him; this was the reason why Harry wanted to get married the soonest time possible. He was running against a deadline – NO NYMPHRODITE MADE IT PASSED THE AGE OF SIXTEEN. Harry was sixteen. He had marriage, he was about to have a child, and he had love. All he needs to do is make it to his next birthday and the curse will turn. Ron looked at Dumbledore then said, “Harry needs more time.”

“Yes, Ron. Time. It is our enemy or our ally.”

“Then finding him is the most important thing right now. Find him and bring him back here and keep him alive until his next birthday.” Ron said.

“If they farm him, which I think they would, he will die Ron.” Dumbledore said.

“What are you saying? No magic can re-awaken the dead. He mustn’t die. Are you saying there is no hope?” Ron said.

“I am saying that when the time comes, and you are given the choice, I will not stop you from doing what your heart tells you to do.” Dumbledore said. “We will do everything to revive him but if he crosses the veil, he can’t come back.”

“How can I stop him from doing that?” Ron said. “How does one stop a soul from crossing the veil?”

“The Gates Ron. Remember the Gates.” Dumbledore said.

Suddenly Ron saw the ray of hope he sought for. There was a chance for him to turn the curse around. For the first time since this all began he realized how crucial it was for Harry to have someone in his life that was willing to make such a sacrifice. None of his kind had this chance of survival because no one was there to make the choice. He ran for the Southern Tower to seek the Book of the Gatekeepers.


***

Hermione was tending to Ginny when Professor Lupin approached her.

“How is she, Hermione?”

“She woke up earlier, but we can’t get anything out of her except Draco.” Hermione said.

“Draco?” Remus said. “Where is he?”

“I don’t know. I’m afraid they have taken him, Professor Lupin.” Hermione said.

Remus left Hermione and looked for Severus who he found outside talking to the Knights. “Severus!”

“Yes,”

“Draco, have you seen him?” Remus said.

“No, and he is not among the fallen either. He’s missing, he and Potter are the only ones unaccounted for.” Severus said.

Just then the Knights came to them bringing a frozen thing from the lake. As they came near they discovered it was Travers, he was burned almost beyond recognition. The lake has frozen him in this mangled state.

“Is he one of yours or theirs?” Said the Knight.

“Theirs,” Severus said. The body was thrown among the carcasses of demons. “I’m going to look for Draco,”

“That will be difficult considering he and Harry are both wearing concealing amulets.” Remus said.

“There’s no point condemning both to death. Everyone is looking for Potter. No one seems to be concerned about Malfoy,” Severus said.

“Dumbledore cares for every student, Severus, you know that.” Remus said.

“Yes, well, I should not disappoint him then.” Severus said. “Lumos!” His wand lighted up and he went in search of Draco deep within the forbidden forest.

Remus returned to Hermione. She was talking to members of the DA. Remus then remembered something and decided to ask her about it.

“Hermione, weren’t you friends with a student from Durmstrang?” Remus said.

“Yes, Viktor Krum.” Hermione answered.

“Can you send an owl to him, and ask him to come over?” Remus said.

“Yes, I can. But why Professor?” Hermione said.

“I need to ask him about the rituals.” Remus said. Members of the DA started whispering among themselves and Hermione suddenly looked nervous. Remus could not help but wonder. “What is it?”

“Nothing. I mean, is it wise to inform them about this?” Hermione said.

“Well, the attack no doubt has reached every magical school around the world. We have been receiving owls from them asking if we needed help. Some of them are coming over to help rebuild Hogwarts.” Remus said.

“Yes, but do they know?” Hermione asked.

“Yes, Hermione. They know.” Remus said. “If you send the owl today I think he’ll be here within four days.”

Hermione nodded then went to the owlery to find an owl to send to Bulgaria.

***

When Draco opened his eyes it was still dark. He found it difficult to breath because blood was streaming down his nose and he could even taste blood in his throat. His left eye was obviously damaged because he could not open it fully and the vision from it was greatly diminished. He wanted to move but realized he was chained to the wall. He moved his hand it was high above his head and he dangled. Every part of him ached, but somehow he felt like he was slowly gaining back his strength. He noticed that there were vials on the floor just inches from his toes.

Then a rat came inside from the gap in the bars and turned into a familiar and hated figure. It was Peter Petigrew, looking as damned as ever though he was somewhat different today.

“Oh good you’re awake.” Peter said. Draco could not answer. Peter took out another vial, and opened it. “You’ve been out for three days. Here,” He placed the vial near Draco’s mouth and motioned for him to drink it. “This is rejuvenating draught. You need to get out of here and alert the Order.”

“Why,” Draco said, “Why are…why are you doing this?”

“Because your amulet gave me hope.” Peter then showed Draco the amulet on his neck. “I can escape and start a new life. At least if I help you and the Order my guilt will not eat me further.”

Draco took the draught and felt his feet get warm. The sensation rose slowly but steadily to his head and he felt the chains biting through his skin. “Can you…lower me…?”

Peter nodded then stretched to reach the chain and lowered Draco to the floor. Draco lay there and tried to stay awake. “I will take you back to Hogwarts. But you have to play along for a while. They’ve begun the ritual, he won’t last.”

Draco wondered if Peter was talking about Harry. He tried to ask him but his mind could not hold on anymore and the blackness took him again.