A Pale Shadow

A pale shadow: Waking the serpent

Harry walked outside of the gates of Hogwart’s and turned to face it. Raising his wand he touched the gate and muttered a spell he was sure he hadn’t known before. Not that at the moment he cared why it was that he knew this but was pleased when he felt the wards strength more, protecting all inside from Fudge. A loud crack sounded in the air as Harry apperated away from Hogwarts with relief that he would not have to worry about it.

Popping into the apperation zone, Harry looked down the long lane at the interesting mansion that was magically blended of stone, wood and white gleaming marble steps. He always thought it funny that the Malfoys looked down on the Weaselys for the way the lived, when in truth the two houses were a lot alike in a way. Rooms and areas had been added as the families had needed them, the only difference was that the Burrow looked as if it might topple over and made of cheaper materials than the Malfoy Mansion. Bypassing the main house, Harry walked to the left, coming around the building till he walked toward the south gardens and a strange grey wall that seemed oddly out of place. Many speculated that it had been apart of the very first home of the Mafloys but Harry knew the truth about the odd wall. Stopping in front of it, he pulled back the sleeve of his shirt and touched the small platinum snake bracelet to the wall. Smiling the snake hissed the password as it found the lock and felt relieved when he heard the small hiss of approval back.

Jumping back as the door swung open before he could reach for the door knob, Harry rolled his eyes at the vestige of Draco, leaning on the door jam. His arms were crossed over his chest, his legs also crossed at the ankles and his ever present smirk was on his face as he drawled, “About time you showed up Potter.”

“Sorry Malfoy I would have been here sooner but I had to take a nap.” Harry said calmly before the both of them began to giggle and then hugged each other.

Draco pulled back and with a serious look on his face replied back, “Hell of a nap mate, don’t you think that maybe eleven months is a bit much?”

“Yes well not all of us can just wake up and look as good as you Draco.” Harry answered as he followed Draco into the room and saw Ginny. Tears filled his eyes as the red head tossed herself into his arms, “Remus told us that you would wake up soon but we just thought that he was saying that because, well to comfort us.”

Harry just nodded as he looked down into her eyes, “Hi Ginny, it is good to see you again.”

She nodded as she let him go finally and sat back down, “As it is good to see you, I knew that Remus was going to see you but I didn’t know…”

“It’s alright; Poppy got a hold of him as soon as I woke up.” A sad look came over his face, “She couldn’t tell me what needed to be told and the others are busy with well I think we all know with what.”

Both Ginny and Draco nodded as Draco sat down in a chair to Ginny’s right. His silver blue eyes locked onto Harry’s, “It’s time now isn’t it?”

Harry nodded at his once rival, not that many had known that they had given up on fighting to forge a powerful friendship, “Yes it is, it’s time to reclaim those that they have stolen from us but more important it is time to take Fudge down.”

Ginny’s eyes got wide with concern, “You mean to go on with the war don’t you Harry?”

“Yes.” He stated simply looking at her, “Your mother and father as well as Bill and Percy did not die so that injustice could be carried out in their names or of those of the others that died as well. This will end and all will learn what happened to Ron, to Severus and other order members.”

She nodded as began to rock gently in the chair, “You know I think even Hermoine would agree with you Harry. So what do you need us to do?”

Harry felt the pain again as he heard Hermoine’s name, she was one of the missing and he forced away the thoughts that threatened to distract him, “Well first I need Draco here to gather up the slytherin and pure bloods and get them behind the fight. I know that it shouldn’t be too hard for you to charm them, with Fudge land grabbing.”

Draco gave a nod as he shifted in his chair, “I take it that means I am within my right to offer giving back family holdings?”

“Of course, just because a family might have a death eater in it doesn’t mean the whole family should suffer. Besides all we need to do is breed another Tom and that is what will happen if it doesn’t stop. Ginny can you reach the twins?”

“Of course but it might take a bit for them to show up.” She gave a grin that was filled with mischief, “You know that they went into hiding but that hasn’t stopped them from coming up with new interesting products to help out.”

“May merlin watch over those two and their clever minds.” Harry said with a bit of a laugh, “Just tell them to go to Hogwarts when they are ready to travel and to make it as soon as they can. After all they can make use of the room of requirements if they need a lab. I am sure that it is still set up for them.”

Both of his friends looked at him oddly as Draco asked in what was an attempt at a voice that was not overly concerned, “Are you sure that is wise?”

“Yes.” Harry pushed back his dark hair and gave a wicked grin, “I made sure that the wards were strengthened. It will only let those in desperate need or of the order to get into the castle for the moment.”

Draco’s delicate eyebrow shot up, “Since when did you know warding Harry?”

Harry shrugged, “As far as I know I don’t but I did it all the same. Remus mentioned that Albus combined his magic with mine for the spell to work. I thought perhaps some of that magic might have imprinted onto me, much like my paraseltongue did from Voldemort.”

The younger Malfoy gave a thoughtful look for a moment, “It could be possible, while I am convincing others to come to our side I will look into that. It might be of benefit to us in the coming days.”

Harry also thought on this and then smiled, “Yes well just make sure that you do that in any spare time you have. I have to go see a certain Minister now.”

Ginny stopped in the smoothing of her robes as she heard him, “Are you sure that is safe Harry?”

“I am going to give him a chance to set Severus and the others go.” Harry said as he stood again and gave her another hug, “That way when the dust clears all will know that I at least did that before turning the man into a pile of spineless goo.”

Draco snorted and walked over to him, “Just make sure that I am there to see that.”

A loud moan came from the next room and Draco sighed as he walked to the other room. Harry looked to Ginny and she gave a sad smile, “Ron is a little better but he still isn’t anywhere near the person he once was.”

Harry walked out of the room into the other, were Ron stared into the fire, his face looking less in pain as Draco held him close, whispering soft words into his ear. Harry took one hand and held it close to him, “I promise Ron, they will pay for what has happened.”

The only sound that came from the red head who was his best friend was a strangled gurgle noise as Ron moved closer to Draco. Draco and Harry’s eyes meet and the promise was given with just a look, Draco would be the one to extract the revenge from those that had brought Ron to this state.

Draco listened as Harry made his good byes to Ginny and left the house. He didn’t look up as Ginny came to the door, though he heard her soft steps, the swish of her green robes she was wearing, “You have everything you need?”

“Yes and anything else the house elf Mimi will get for me.” Her soft voice filled the room, “Just go Draco, I can take care of Ron and besides Charlie will be here in an hour.”

The Slytherin stood up and smoothed out his own silk shirt of pale blue before giving Ron to his sister, whispering to him, “I have to go for a little bit but Ginny will watch over you Ron, don’t behave like a prat while I am gone alright?”

Ginny almost cried again as she watched the younger Malfoy lean over and gently kiss Ron’s lips before he turned to leave. She knew where he was going, to Pansy Parkinson and Blaise’s house to call a meeting to order. Hugging Ron tight she whispered to him, “Ron you have to come out of this and get well. I know you went through a lot but we need you and so does Harry. He is going to right what went wrong.”

AN: just in case first plea didn\'t go through please review and let me know if there are any that would like to read the rest of this fic.