The Black Rose

Chapter 2: The Dragon's Rebellion

-The Evening of Dumbledore's Death-

Draco followed Snape into the ancient gothic cathedral. Draco knew he would not survive the night. He had failed, but somehow he was glad he did. Draco accepted what was to happen to him, knowing the Dark Lord would not tolerate his weakness.

As he walked down the aisle of the enormous cathedral he took notice of his surroundings. The pews were bloodstained and bodies littered them. These muggles were not just murdered, they were tortured and raped. This disgusted him. He loathed his father for condemning him to such a life. He may not always have treated the whores he slept with properly, but this he could never do. The murders were senseless and random and served no purpose. It made them look like animals and he found it distasteful. He could not say he personally cared, but it was disgusting none the less.

Draco continued to follow Snape into a hidden trap door that led to a subterranean level. They descended the damp, stone staircase by the light form Snape's wand. Finally they reached the dungeons. It was a large circular room with many staircases leading to it. The remaining Death Eaters were here telling the Dark Lord what had occurred.

"I got one of the Weasley boys my lord," growled Fenrir Greyback.

"And Dumbledore," hissed the Dark Lord.

"Is dead," Snapes cold voice rang out, spreading through the room like ice, silencing the group.

Draco and Snape made their way to the center of the room. Lucius stood stone cold as he awaited the news of his only son. Voldemort eyed Snape curiously and looked at Draco sharply.

"You have failed me young Malfoy," the Dark Lord said menacingly, "Cruico."

Draco's breath caught in his chest as he felt as if his skin was being ripped from his body. He fell to his knees, holding in the pain, not once crying out. Draco long ago learned how to shut down his physical body and remain in the safe haven of his mind until the curse was through. The Crutiatious Curse was a normal routine. After what felt like hours, Draco felt the curse lifted and he stood barely noticing the pain.

The Dark Lord looked at Draco suspiciously, and said, "However, he would not be dead without you, for this you are spared."

Draco looked to his father within the Death Eater's ring and even through his mask looked as shocked as he felt. He wasn't going to die. At least not tonight.

Draco and his father later returned to Malfoy Manor. Lucius never met Draco's eyes and simply told him to remain in his room until further instruction. To an upper class wizard, Malfoy Manor was amazing, but to Draco, it was a prison. He constantly kept up the façade of Hogwarts not being good enough, but the truth was, he counted down his summers. Most of his days were wasted away in various bars and clubs. It was no secret he had nearly bed every attractive female in his class, save a few Gryfindors. Given that, his experience was well beyond the years of an average 18 year old wizard. He never even thought twice about why he had never been with the same girl twice. None of them simply ever met his standards. Draco made his way up the swept staircase to his room. The past 24 hours seemed surreal to him. Draco opened the French style doors and entered. His quarters took up half of the second floor. The black carpet was enriched with an Oriental rug of a dragon, his bed was of luxurious Roman linens and black drapes. Nearly covering one wall were Mahogany bookcases made from wood in the Black Forest. And finally, the balcony. So many nights he had spent taking the innocence of lustful girls. He stepped out into the cool night air. Draco took a deep breath and imagined he was in his Paris flat on that balcony?a world away.

Draco was quickly pulled from his momentary lapse from reality when his father entered his room.

"Draco, you have displeased me this evening," Lucius stated.

Draco simply looked at his father, bored.

"However, I am willing to allow you to regain your honour as the Malfoy heir," Lucius raised his hand as if pulling something towards his. Draco's silver eyes widened when he saw a girl not much younger than him quickly enter Lucius' grasp. She was bound at her wrists and ankles with her mouth gagged. She was terrified.

"Take her, she is a filthy blood traitor from America. She has been helping others to her country, she's been organizing in London with others like her...they got away," Lucius said as he thrust the girl into Draco's arms and turned to leave, "and Draco, do cause her pain... then bring her to the Dark Lord."

At this Lucius left slamming the doors closed. Draco looked at the girl; she was rather attractive, she had long dark hair and dark eyes. She looked at Draco pleadingly. Draco released her onto his bed and ungagged her. To her surprise, Draco left and returned to his balcony.

He stood staring into the night sky while he contemplated his course of action. He could run, but they would find him. He had but one option and that was to do as they said. Draco left his balcony and returned to his room.


Only a week had passed before Harry felt the need to leave again.

"But Harry, you just came back, stay a little longer," Ginny begged.

"Ginny, I can't, I have to find the rest of the horcruxes," Harry said staring into Ginny's eyes. Harry didn't want to leave her, not again, but he knew if he didn't she may not be there to come back to.

"Harry, at least say you'll go back to school, at least for a little while," Ginny pleaded.

"Yeah Harry, you need a break to keep you head straight mate," Ron said, wearily eyeing Ginny desperately clinging to Harry.

"If I'm not any closer to finding the horcrux I will, but only to research further, not to attend classes," Harry said giving in.

"Where's Hermione," Harry asked noticing her absence.

"Ever since you brought up that Lion's thing she hasn't stepped foot out of the library," Ron said grumpily.

"What was that Ronald?" Hermione asked from behind him.

"When did she get here? Did you see her come in?" Ron asked bewildered.

"And Harry, I'm getting closer, are you going somewhere?" Hermione asked noticing a very solemn Ginny.

"Yes, I'm leaving to get more information on this horcrux. I'll be back at King's Cross-Station for the start of term. Hopefully one of us will have some good news," Harry said very seriously.

"Well, take care of yourself, if you need anything, you know what to do," Hermione said, giving Harry a hug. She refereed to the messenger patronus charm. Hermione nudged Ron, "Oh, yeah bye Harry," and pulled him out of the room to give Harry and Ginny some space.

"Ginny, I'll be alright, I'll see you September first alright?" Harry said taking Ginny into his arms. Ever since Harry had come back a week ago he had known he was in love with her and would lay down his life to save hers. Ginny nodded and whispered, "I love you."

"I love you, too Ginny."

Ginny slowly let go of him and took a deep breath and stepped back. Harry knew how to take a hint and silently left. Ginny lasted a whole thirty seconds before she broke down in uncontrollable sobs.
Draco slowly approached the whimpering girl on his bed without hesitation.

"Please, what is going to happen to me?" she cried.

Draco ignored and untied her.

"Are you going to hurt me?" she asked quietly.

"No...but I am going to make you scream," Draco said darkly, his eyes roaming her body. Once untied, he pulled the girl off of his bed. It was then that the girl realized how handsome the man was. His blonde hair fell lazily into his mysterious silver eyes. And his pale skin was cold to the touch. She was slowly breathing in his lustful scent as he forced her back against the wall. Draco firmly pressed his lips to hers long enough to rip her blouse open and release the clasp of her bra. He had her pinned against the wall, his erection pressing into her. He slid his hand slowly up her thigh under her skirt, tearing off her panties as he bit her lower lip. A small moan escaped her lips as he slowly kissed her neck as he made his way to her chest. As soon as his lips touched her breasts her muscles relaxed. As quickly as a predator moves in on its wounded prey, Draco took her, forcing the virgin to scream into the darkness.

Draco picked up her sleeping form and carried her to the study; the only apparition point on the location, and left for the cathedral. Draco laid the girl down in front of his father a few minutes later saying, "I've done as you asked father."

"Good," Lucius replied, "now kill her," he said holding out a dagger for Draco to take.

Draco stared at the dagger with cold eyes. The anger within rose as he took the dagger from his father's hands. The girl below him was slowly beginning to stir.

"Do it Draco," Lucius commanded.

Draco looked down once more at the now fully awake girl and made up his mind.

"No," Draco said flatly. He thrust the dagger into the stone floor.

Furious Lucius raised his wand and the dagger flew high into the air and back down into the girl's heart. All the color drained from Draco's face as he watched the girl choke on her own blood and slowly die a painful death. Lucius looked coldly to his son, "That was a mistake."

That was the last thing Draco remembered before he found himself in the catacombs. If only his mother had been safe last year...he might not be in this mess. He looked over at the goblet. He wondered what it was, it was very powerful. He laughed to himself wishing it could get him out of here. He picked it up and felt out the engravings. After some time he made out Helga and immediately found himself wanting to be back at Hogwarts...

Suddenly, before Draco had any idea what was happening, he felt the world spinning, only opening his eyes when he felt solid ground. His first thought was, "damn thing killed me." But then he could start to see through the blackness...so long in the darkness and the eyes became weak. Slowly, after a few minutes, the grounds of Hogwarts came into view.

"No way," Draco thought looking around.

He focused on the goblet in his hands and read Helga Hufflepuff above the Hogwarts crest.

Unsure of how anyone would react to him, he made his way to the Headmaster's office. It was dark and the sky was blanketed with stars. So many times before had Draco walked this path to the castle, but never like this. He was breathing heavily, and unbeknownst to him, he didn't even look alive. His fair skin was paler than ever and his handsome face was sunken in. In a way, it made him even more attractive.

Draco slowly made his way to the former Headmaster's office wondering if anyone would be there.

"Mr. Malfoy," said a voice behind him, "please come with me." It was Professor McGonagall with a slightly worried look on her face.

Unsure of whether or not he was in deep shit, Draco nodded and followed her to the Headmaster's office.

As Draco entered the office, he noticed subtle changes that made it clear McGonagall was now Headmistress.

"Take a seat Mr. Malfoy," said Professor McGonagall, taking her own seat, "tell me, what brings you to Hogwarts."

Draco nervously glanced at the former Headmaster's portrait who was studying him.

"Professor, I ...I know my actions may not support what I need to say, but I no longer wish to follow the Dark Lord. I never truly wanted to, but my mother...they would have killed her," Draco said realizing he never saw her at the Manor.

"Mr. Malfoy, we know more than you think we do," Professor McGonagall told him, "your mother is alive, and you are currently believed to be dead. I do not know how you escaped your horrible fate, or came to be at Hogwarts, but I know the words you speak are honest," McGonagall stated turning to look as Professor Dumbledore's portrait, "Albus, what do you suggest for Mr. Malfoy?"

Dumbledore's portrait looked at Draco's poor state of health.

"I suggest Minerva, Draco get some rest and food, and remain at Hogwarts until the start of term." Turning to look at Draco, Dumbledore said, "then as Head Boy, you will fulfill duties to the school to repay your debts, as you are truly the best candidate for the job. Also you will receive your own quarters as I expect you will not receive such a warm welcome from your house."

Draco was shocked. He looked to Professor McGonagall waiting for her to shoot down the idea. However, she nodded at the former Headmaster and said to Draco, "You are to take the train from King's Cross as to not cause more suspicion than there already will be. The other side will no doubt learn that you are here, but for the time being you are safe. See Madam Pomfrey and then go to the East Tower where you will find your quarters along with a much-needed meal. Your password is rose line."

Draco spent the rest of the evening in Madam Pomfrey's care. She was in a right state about him and he just didn't understand why until she showed him a mirror. He would have paled even further if it were possible at the sight of his face. He quickly ceased any rebellious activities against Madam Pomfrey. As she cut away Draco's bloodstained shirt she gasped as she saw the unhealed wounds on his back.

"Where did you encounter inferi?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear. Draco's mind stopped all other thoughts as he wondered how she knew. He looked down, not answering her as she came to her senses and frantically began to attempt to heal the wounds.

"How long has it been?" she asked quickly.

"Around three weeks," Draco replied.

At this Madam Pomfrey rushed off returning moments later with a steaming potion in her hands.

"Drink this now," she said pushing it into his hands, "Do you know what untreated inferi wounds lead to Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco drank most of the potion and set it down looking into the mirror again...suddenly it hit him...he looked dead..., not just dead...undead....Draco panicked as he frantically grabbed the potion and drained the few remaining drops.

"Glad we're on the same page now Mr. Malfoy," Madam Pomfrey said wearily. Draco had forgotten what the inferi did...he was slowly becoming one on them...unless Madam Pomfrey was successful.

"The potion should restore your soul completely, but these wounds will never heal. You will always need to take this potion, once every three months," Madam Pomfrey said, "I hear you're exceptional in Potions, you should be able to make them on your own. I will check your first attempt to verify it is sufficient."

Draco nodded realizing how close to a cursed life he was. So that was his fated sentence from the Dark Lord...

"Madam Pomfrey, how much longer until I was gone?" Draco asked calmly.

Madam Pomfrey eyed him strangely, "Draco, you should not have made it longer than a few days."

A.N./ PLEASE Read and Review!