Funerals and Weddings

For disclaimer, summary, story codes and other information, please see the prologue.

Chapter the Twenty-sixth: Blaise Zabini
The same day, a few moments later
13 November

The portkey landed Draco and Blaise in the Slytherin common room. Before Blaise could question Draco as to what was going on, Draco took his arm and dragged him out into the hallway.

“I know you’re confused. Just wait a minute. I promise everything will be explained,” Draco tossed over his shoulder to Blaise as he trotted down the hallway to Snape’s office. Reaching the great wooden door, Draco knocked firmly.

“Come in,” Snape’s bored tone replied. Draco marched in, with a bewildered Blaise following more slowly behind.

Snape rose from his desk. “Draco, Blaise. What are you two doing here? I thought you went into Hogsmeade.”

“We did,” Draco stated. “But we left when the Death Eaters arrived.”

Snape stiffened. “There’s been an attack?”

Blaise answered. “No, no attack. They were there for Draco.” Blaise looked at his friend. “Will you tell me what the hell is going on? Why were all those Death Eaters looking for you?”

Draco glanced at Blaise before ignoring his questions and turning to Snape. “They said ‘it was time’ and ordered me to come forward.” Draco quickly summarized everything that had happened for his Head of House.

When he finished, Snape was frowning. He looked at the dark-skinned Slytherin.

“How did you get to Draco without the Death Eaters seeing you Zabini? Why did you go to find him?” Snape asked, watching the boy closely for his answer.

“I snuck out the side door of the Broomsticks when I saw what was happening through the window,” He shrugged. “I’m pretty good at staying in shadows when I want to. When I heard them calling for Malfoy and I realised he wasn’t going to respond, I slipped into the back of that shop I knew he was in,” Blaise looked at Draco. “I figured there had to be a reason you weren’t answering them. Do I get to know what it is?”

Snape indicated to Draco that the decision of what to tell the other Slytherin was his. Snape figured he’d just Obliviate the boy if necessary.

Draco took a deep breath and met Blaise’s eyes. “I’m not going to join the Death Eaters. That’s what they meant when they said ‘it was time.’ I’ve…decided not to follow the Dark Lord,” He paused, then said the last bit quickly. “I’ve joined the other side.”

Blaise’s dark eyes were stunned and he gaped at Draco. “What? You? You’ve gone over to the Light? I don’t believe you. Since when?”

“The beginning of term,” Draco replied calmly, although his insides writhed in turmoil.

“But…why? What about your father?” Blaise was still in shock.

Draco grimaced. “Lucius is a raving lunatic. I learned that this summer. He betrayed me, Blaise. That’s when I woke up and realised what I was doing. I was following in the footsteps of a lunatic who was serving a twisted madman. I decided I wouldn’t—couldn’t—do it. So…I went to Dumbledore and I switched.”

Blaise seemed to have gotten his wits back. “So what was that today? Why were the Death Eaters looking for you? Does your father know you’ve…switched? Because the Dark Lord doesn’t usually send a dozen Death Eaters out to collect someone when he’s ready for them to join.”

Draco cast a worried look at the Potions Master. “I…don’t know. I haven’t told Lucius, of course. And I’ve tried to fool him into believing I still want to join. But he must suspect…”

Snape picked up the thread of Draco’s response. “I must agree. The Dark Lord and Lucius must not believe the ruse any longer, if they ever did. Like Mr. Zabini said, the Dark Lord doesn’t send out his minions to collect willing initiates. They were sent to take you because the Dark Lord must suspect you wouldn’t come willingly. And now they know it for fact.”

Draco paled as he realised what Snape said to be true. His life was truly in danger now.

Snape continued. “I need to go consult with the Headmaster. We don’t know what happened in Hogsmeade after the two of you portkeyed away. The Death Eaters might well have attacked when you didn’t appear, Mr. Malfoy. As for you, Mr. Zabini…”

Snape raised his wand and pointed it at Blaise. “Obliv—”

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Three Gryffindors and a Hufflepuff landed amidst a group of surprised first-years playing Exploding Snap in the Gryffindor common room, scattering cards as they did. With a quick apology, they darted out of the common room and into the hallway.

Harry stopped, then turned awkwardly to Justin. “Um, maybe you’d better go back to Hufflepuff, Justin.”

Justin looked affronted. “Why?”

Harry shrugged awkwardly and fiddled nervously with his earring. “Well, you see, there are some things…that not everyone can know. I’m not trying to shut you out, honest. I mean, there’s lots of things I don’t know yet, but I do know Dumbledore wants as few people as possible to be involved—”

Justin cut him off. “Don’t bother to explain. I understand completely: Gryffindors are worthy,” he glared at Hermione and Ron, then at Harry. “Hufflepuffs aren’t. You can keep your secrets.” With that, he turned and stormed away down the hall.

Harry closed his eyes and pulled at his own hair with both hands. “Shite! That is not what I wanted to happen. I guess I handled that all wrong, didn’t I?”

He was surprised when Hermione shook her head. “No, well, I guess it would’ve been easier for you to have let him come along and have Dumbledore send him away. Because you’re right, Harry; Dumbledore wouldn’t have let him stay. But you did the right thing by being honest. I’m just sorry he took it that way.”

Ron clapped a hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Cheer up, mate, I’m sure he’ll come around. Give him some time—we’ve got to be getting to Dumbledore now, anyways.”

Harry nodded. “You’re right. Let’s go. I’ll worry about Justin later.”

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“Obliv—”

Blaise lifted his hands quickly and shouted, “NO! Don’t!”

Snape didn’t lower his wand. “I’m sorry, Mr. Zabini. You know too much. Even if you promise not to tell anyone, the information you have is still a liability.”

“But sir!” Blaise spoke hastily, before Snape could cast his spell. “I want to switch! I want to get out, like Draco did. Please, sir, you’ve obviously helped Draco. Won’t you help me too?”

Now Snape lowered his wand as he and Draco stared at the pleading Slytherin. Neither of them had expected Blaise Zabini to be willing to betray the Dark Lord.

“Blaise, are you serious?” Draco asked, clearly in disbelief.

Blaise nodded. “Yes, I swear. I’ve…I’ve never really wanted to be a Death Eater. I couldn’t see a way out, though. My father was one, before he died, and my uncle. I know I’m expected to join when I turn 17. But my birthday’s not until August…so I’ve been planning to go into hiding this summer…” he trailed off, looking hopefully at his two fellow Slytherins.

Snape tapped his long fingers against his jaw. “Are you willing to swear to this under oath…and under the effects of Veritaserum, Mr. Zabini?”

Blaise didn’t hesitate. “Yes, of course. Whenever you want.”

Draco let out a sigh of relief. Blaise wouldn’t have agreed if he didn’t mean it. It would be nice knowing he wasn’t alone in this.

Snape’s lips quirked in what passed for him as a smile. “No time like the present. I believe the Headmaster is likely expecting Mr. Malfoy and I…let’s give him a surprise with Mr. Zabini, shall we?” With that, Snape swept from his office, robes billowing. Draco and Blaise shared a grin before hurrying in his wake.

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A few minutes later found the three Gryffindors seated in Dumbledore’s office explaining what had happened in Hogsmeade (fortunately, Dumbledore had given Harry the password when he’d given him the portkey). They were only about halfway through their story when a knock on the door interrupted them.

“Come in,” the Headmaster called. Professor Snape slid into the room, closing the door behind him.

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Snape had heard the voices inside and had decided to leave Malfoy and Zabini outside when he’d recognised the voices. He admonished them to keep quiet, telling them he would come fetch them in a minute, before knocking and entering.

Draco pressed his ear to the door then looked at Blaise. “Fuck. I can hear voices, but I can’t understand anything they’re saying. Why do we have to wait out here? What’s going on in there that we can’t hear?”

Blaise smirked, just a bit evilly. Pulling Weasley-brand Extendable Ears from his bag of Zonko’s goodies, he said, “Who says we can’t hear?”

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“Ah, Severus,” Dumbledore greeted him. “I’m glad you are here. Have you heard about the incident in Hogsmeade?”

“Just that something happened, not the whole story,” Snape replied, hedging the truth in hopes of getting as many details as possible.

Dumbledore turned to the three Gryffindor students. “Please, start at the top again, for Professor Snape, would you?”

Acquiescing dutifully, they did. When they had finally finished, Harry asked, “What happened to the Aurors you said would be on duty in Hogsmeade today, Headmaster? We never saw any.”

Dumbledore sighed. “Alas, I am afraid Voldemort duped the Ministry. It was “leaked” that there would be a Death Eater attack on Diagon Alley today; obviously a planted story, as there was no attack. But Fudge pulled most of the Aurors away from Hogsmeade to Diagon Alley when he heard about the supposed plan. He left only two Aurors in Hogsmeade.”

“What?” Harry asked, disbelief colouring his voice. “Didn’t it occur to Fudge that it might be a trick? A ruse by Voldemort to leave Hogsmeade defenceless?”

Snape snorted. “I’m afraid our esteemed Minister of Magic is incapable of appreciating the subtleties of the Dark Lord’s plans, Mr. Potter. It’s one of the reasons the Dark Lord wants to keep Fudge in power—he’s so ridiculously easy to manipulate.”

“I’m afraid Professor Snape is quite right, Harry,” Dumbledore said. “When I suggested to Cornelius that it might be wiser to take the rumoured attack on Diagon Alley with a grain of salt and keep both areas protected, he brushed my concerns aside, saying—rightly so—that I had no authority to tell him what to do with his Aurors. I am only thankful that no attack happened after all.”

“But what about the two Aurors left in Hogsmeade?” Hermione asked. “They never came forward.”

Dumbledore shared a look with Snape. “I don’t know, Miss Granger. But I plan to find out immediately.”

Ron didn’t usually brave questioning the Headmaster, but he couldn’t hold back any longer. “What about Malfoy, sir? Why were the Death Eaters looking for him? And why didn’t he show himself when they called for him?”

Dumbledore studied Ron over his glasses. “I cannot be certain, Mr. Weasley. Perhaps it is as simple as the fact that Mr. Malfoy had indeed already left Hogsmeade when the Death Eaters arrived. I’m afraid I shall have to speak to Mr. Malfoy to know the answer to your questions.”

It didn’t escape the Golden Trio’s notice that Dumbledore evaded answering Ron’s question as to why the Death Eaters wanted Malfoy, but none of them said anything.

“I must thank the three of you for bringing me this information so quickly. And you, Harry, for saying you hadn’t seen Mr. Malfoy. That, along with Miss Weasley’s corroborating statement, was what surely stopped the Death Eaters from searching Hogsmeade or attacking in anger. Please pass my gratitude on to Miss Weasley for me. I’ll be contacting the Order right away. For now, I suggest the three of you return to Gryffindor—and stay inside the castle wards from now on. I fear it’s no longer safe for you to leave the grounds. Thank you again.”

Recognising dismissal, the three students stood just as Snape did.

“Headmaster, perhaps it would be wise to examine one of their memories in the Pensieve. I may be able to provide more information about the Death Eaters, especially if I can recognize the leader’s voice,” Snape said smoothly, shooting the old man a pointed look.

Dumbledore gazed at his Potions Master for a moment before nodding. “Yes, excellent idea. Would one of you care to volunteer?”

As Harry quickly volunteered, Snape moved to the door, saying, “I believe you wished to speak to Mr. Malfoy, Headmaster? Shall I escort him here?”

Dumbledore nodded and Snape slipped carefully from the office. Out on the landing, he found Draco and Blaise innocently waiting. Motioning for them to follow him, Snape led them down the stairs and into an empty classroom before saying,

“Potter and his entourage were with the Headmaster. I didn’t think it was wise for them to see you. They should be leaving momentarily and then we’ll go back to see the Headmaster.”

Draco and Blaise simply nodded, as if this was news to them. Beneath his calm exterior, however, Draco was ready to burst. Harry had spoken up to protect him! He didn’t understand why Ginny Weasley had as well; he could only figure she was backing Harry up. Or maybe she really hadn’t seen Draco (he couldn’t remember if he had seen her or not) and was just trying to get rid of the Death Eaters. It didn’t matter why she had said it. But Harry—he’d lied flat-out to the Death Eaters. Lied to protect him, Draco Malfoy. Did that mean that Harry had really forgiven him for what he’d said about his aunt? That he was starting to trust him again? Draco had been ruthlessly squashing his hopes of one day being with Harry, even after he had apologised. But now he couldn’t help but allow one little spark come to life within him. Perhaps his dream wasn’t totally lost, after all…

Just a few minutes later, they heard Harry, Ron and Hermione go by the classroom where they were hidden. Snape waited a few minutes more, then the three of them returned to Dumbledore’s office. Draco caught the flash of surprise on Dumbledore’s face when he saw Blaise before it was quickly masked.

“Welcome gentlemen. I know why Mr. Malfoy is here; may I inquire about the pleasant surprise of Mr. Zabini joining us? Severus?”

Snape smirked; he loved the rare occasions when he was able to surprise the old man. “Mr. Zabini was with Mr. Malfoy when he portkeyed back to Hogwarts. He has since expressed his desire to…join Draco in stepping away from the Dark Lord.”

Dumbledore’s eyebrows rose. “Indeed! What good news! Might I ask your reasons, Mr. Zabini?”

Snape spoke before Blaise could. “Mr. Zabini has already agreed to Veritaserum and to signing the oath. I suggest we administer the Veritaserum now, before he explains his reasons, in the interest of saving time.” He pulled a vial of colourless liquid from his robes.

The Headmaster looked at Blaise, who nodded his permission. Snape placed a few drops on the Slytherin’s tongue. Within fifteen minutes, Blaise had finished his story and was signing the oath of allegiance to the Order and the side of Light. When he was done, he let out a huge sign of relief.

“Thank you. You can’t imagine what a relief this is to me,” Blaise said, sitting back down.

“I’m sure it is,” Dumbledore replied. “And welcome. We are most glad to have you. I am sure it will be good for Mr. Malfoy as well to know he has an ally in his House. But we need to discuss today’s events. Can you tell me what happened?”

Draco quickly recounted his tale. Dumbledore picked up where he left off, “enlightening” the boys to what had happened after they had left Hogsmeade.

“Potter and Weasley?” Draco asked, feigning surprise. “Why would they have lied to protect me?”

“I imagine Potter was just acting the hero again,” Snape drawled. “He can’t seem to help himself.”

Dumbledore looked reprovingly at the elder Slytherin. “I’ve just finished speaking with Mr. Potter, Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley. Mr. Potter indicated it was exactly as he told the Death Eaters: he didn’t want anyone getting hurt and was trying to give the Death Eaters the information they wanted in hopes that they would leave.”

Draco narrowed his eyes. “But Potter knew I was in Hogsmeade. I don’t know about Weasley, but Potter had seen me. I don’t understand why he would lie; why didn’t he tell the Death Eaters I was there? That would have made them happy and more likely to leave without harming anyone once they found me.”

Dumbledore tilted his head as he studied Draco over the half-moons perched on his long, thin nose. “I had thought that perhaps you had gotten to know Mr. Potter a little better this term, being his partner in DADA. Do you honestly believe Harry would turn you over to the Death Eaters, despite what he may think about you?”

Draco met the elderly wizard’s eyes. “No, I guess not. He’s too much of a Gryffindor to do that. I suppose I’m thinking too much like a Slytherin to consider H—Potter turning anyone over to the Dark Lord.”

Dumbledore smiled. “Yes, Mr. Potter does embody some of Gryffindor’s finest qualities. But I would say that he is too Harry to have given you over to Voldemort; it is his nature to protect people, even people he may not fully like or trust. Wouldn’t you agree, Severus?”

Snape lifted a brow. “Perhaps. But I am more concerned about what this means for Draco than I am about Mr. Potter’s motives. It seems clear to me that Lucius does not believe Draco’s assurances that he still desires joining the ranks of the Death Eaters. Obviously, the Dark Lord is also aware of what Lucius took to be Draco’s refusal to join him. The Dark Lord sent a dozen Death Eaters to bring Draco to him, by force if necessary. It’s a bad sign.”

Dumbledore nodded seriously. “I agree. Is there any chance of salvaging our plan to keep Lucius believing that Draco is still loyal? Could he be convinced that what the Death Eaters were told was true—that Draco was not in Hogsmeade at all today?”

Snape looked thoughtful. “Perhaps…Draco would have to be very convincing. And it still may not work. But I believe it is worth trying.” He turned to Draco. “Can you write to Lucius again, convincing him you are quite upset that you missed the Death Eaters in Hogsmeade? I’d be willing to assist you again, if you’d prefer.”

Draco nodded. “Yes, Professor, your help would be useful. Thank you.”

Dumbledore nodded his approval and stood. “Very well. Severus, I think it would be best if you and Mr. Malfoy attend to the letter at once. Mr. Zabini, I will be conferring with the Order shortly and I shall inform them, with pleasure, that you have joined us. I’ll leave you with the same warning I gave Mr. Potter and his friends: stay within the wards, boys. It isn’t safe for you outside Hogwarts.”

With that the Headmaster nodded and disappeared though the doorway that Draco assumed led to his quarters. Snape motioned the two Slytherins ahead of him out of the Headmaster’s office. “Let’s use my office to write that letter.”

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A/N: I know it isn’t a very exciting chapter. But I needed to get Blaise into the story. His switch to the Light is important. Bear with me please! Harry and Draco will get together eventually, I promise! Keep reviewing, please! They keep me writing! And congrats to Jodine16: you were reviewer number 69! For your prize...I promise some smut in the next chapter!

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