With A Dragon's Heart

Yes yes. I know. I’m evil. It’s another cliffhanger.. *giggles*

Hope you enjoy it!

Annie

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE: Draco\'s Master Plan


No sooner than Harry and Draco was released from St Mungo’s, Draco had made his way to the Slytherin common room, ignored the inevitable annoying questions from his dorm mates, dropped off his belongings, and marched to Professor Snape\'s office. He rounded the last corner and ran straight into none other than Hermione Granger. They yelled at the same time.

“Watch it!”

“Malfoy!”

Both took a step back and Draco was actually about to apologise to her until he noticed Hermione flush and glance nervously over to the Potion Master’s office door then back to him.

“Um, hi Malfoy. How’s Harry?” she stammered slightly.

He watched her as she attempted to straighten her robe, though it hardly needed straightening. He smirked and raised an eyebrow.

“What?” she said a little too quickly.

Draco shook his head dismissively. “Nothing.” His smirk turned into a sly grin.

“Well? How is he?”

“I was going to talk to you about that after I spoke with Severus.”

“Oh? What did you need to see him about?” she asked uneasily.

Draco took pleasure in watching her squirm.

“What?” she huffed.

Her voice must have risen quite a bit because Snape emerged from his office. He looked between Draco and Hermione then furrowed his brows at her. She shrugged. Both of them turned their attention back to a smug looking Draco Malfoy.

“Was there something I can help you with, Mr. Malfoy?”

“Mister Malfoy?”

Severus cleared his throat. “Draco,” he began again. “Did you need to speak to me?”

The blond’s eyes glanced once again between the two obviously uncomfortable couple and then nodded.

“Yes I do. It’s about Harry.”


~*~*~*~*~*~


“We have to do something!” the young witch cried. “He can\'t just give up like that!”

Hermione turned to Severus as if he had the answer.

“I have spoken with the Headmaster and he informed me that Mr. Potter will no longer be staying with them.”

“A lot of good that will do,” Draco snorted. “It doesn’t change the fact that they denied everything.”

“I’m aware of that,” Snape said, giving him a sharp look.

Hermione bent over in her chair and placed her face into her hands. “We have to do something,” she repeated, muffled.

Draco stood up and began to pace in Severus’ small office. He continued back and forth until finally coming to an abrupt halt. He grinned wickedly at the two of them from over his shoulder.

“I think I know what we can do,” the blond said with a sparkle in his eye.


~*~*~*~*~*~


Hermione jumped out of her seat, panicking. “I need to talk with Harry.”

“Granger. Just wait until he comes back.”

“But what if Professor Dumbledore doesn’t agree? What will we do then? What if…”

“Granger!” Draco said, almost shouting. He sighed. “I’m sorry.” He couldn’t help but notice the shocked expression appearing on her face. “Severus will be back in a moment with his answer. Let’s not...” he motioned for her to sit back down. “make any rash decisions until then. All right?”

Hermione chewed on her lower lip, looked away and nodded. She sat back down in her chair and absently picked at her imaginary lint on her robe. She felt Draco\'s eyes boring into her. She snapped her head to him.

“What?” she said exasperated.

The blond merely shrugged, “Nothing.”

Hermione folded her arms across her chest and glanced to the door frowning. She jumped up once again when Severus entered in with a scowl on his face.

“Well?” both of them asked.

The older wizard walked to his desk and rested in his chair as casual as could be.

“Well?” they repeated.

Snape curled his lip in amusement. “He agreed.”

A wave of relief washed over the two of them. Hermione rushed to his desk but stopped short by a loud scoff in Snape\'s throat. The young witch paled and slowly backed away. Draco was tempted to say something, but refrained himself.

“So? When do we go?” he said instead.

Severus seemed to ponder that for a minute. “We should talk to Mr. Potter first.”

The two young wizards nodded in agreement.


~*~*~*~*~*~


“Harry!” Hermione shouted as she ran over to him and hugged him tightly. “How are you?”

Harry patted her back before pushing himself gently away from her. “I’m fine, Hermione.”

She pursed her lips skeptically and Harry sighed.

“Really. I’m fine.”

“Mmhmm.”

Ignoring his friends concern, he turned his attention to Severus.

“You wanted to see me, sir?” he called from the back of Snape\'s office.

“Please have a seat, Mr. Potter.”

Harry and Hermione made their way up to the front and he finally noticed Draco sitting off to the side.

“Hi, Harry.”

“Malfoy,” he acknowledged.

Draco shot up. “Now what did I do?” The Gryffindor remained quiet. “What? Did you expect us to go straight into the Great Hall and profess our love to everyone?”

Harry’s mouth fell open and stared at Severus and Hermione, waiting for their reaction.

“I think they already know, Harry,” he snorted.

“Oh,” he said blushing as he toed the floor.

“Honestly, Harry. Did you really think we were that thick?”

“No, Hermione. I just… Well, I knew that he knew, but…”

“Well I did, and I don’t care, Harry, just as long as he makes you happy,” she said, giving Draco a stern look.

“Don’t worry, Granger. I won\'t hurt him.”

“You better not! He’s been through enough already. And if I so much as think…”

“Hermione!” Harry snapped.

She flinched slightly. He sighed briefly then turned back to the forgotten Professor.

“What was it you wanted to speak to me about, sir?”

Snape glanced at all three of them. He pointed to the three chairs near each of them. They took their seats and waited patiently.

“I spoke with the Headmaster.”

Harry looked down to the floor. “He already told me, Professor.”

“Mr. Potter. Would you allow me the courtesy to wait until I am finished?” he said curtly.

Harry glanced back up startled then over to Draco. The blond gave him a warm smile and patted him on the leg.

“Now, as I was saying,” Snape said, irritated and the Gryffindor boy blushed. “There seems to be the matter of retrieving your belongings from your,” he paused. “relatives.”

Harry’s eyes opened wide and his face turned white. There’s no way Harry would go.

Snape smirked slightly. “I’ve have been granted permission to collect such items.”

“Y-you?” the boy stuttered.

“Yes, Mr. Potter,” the Professor said, annoyed. “Do you have a problem with that?”

Harry looked away flushing. “No, sir.”

“Very well,” he sneered. “Your…family has been notified and they will not be present.”

“Of course not,” the young wizard mumbled, half-smiling.

“However,” Snape began, watching Harry quickly glance nervously over to him. “You must accompany me as I cannot access admission.”

“What?” Harry shouted.

Severus stayed silent and kept his gaze fixed on the shocked green eyes.

“Harry,” Hermione whispered, tugging on his sleeve. “Malfoy and I will go with you.”

He broke eye contact with his Professor and stared at her. “What? Why?”

“Mal- … Draco seems to think that … they will show up.”

Harry shot a terrified look at Draco and the blond nodded.

“It’ll be all right, Harry. We won\'t let anything happen to you,” Draco reassured him, though he did accentuate the last word.

And Harry caught that.

“Harry. You need to go. If for nothing else but…” Hermione paused.

“Closure?”

“Yes,” she said softly. “Closure.”

The young Gryffindor sighed and turned away, staring into space. A few moments passed before he spoke.

“All right. When?”

“Tomorrow,” Snape said.

“Tomorrow?” Harry shouted.

Severus curled his lips into a small grin. “Yes, Mr. Potter. Tomorrow.”


~*~*~*~*~*~


The four of them apparated into a section of the backyard at 4 Privet Drive that was obscured from watchful eyes. A sudden chill went through Harry’s body as he squinted to see any type of movement within the house. He held his breath, and then forced his legs to move towards it. He flinched when a gentle hand touched on his arm.

“Don’t worry, Harry. We’re right here with you,” Draco whispered.

The other boy gave him a faltering smile. They walked to the house with Harry leading the way. He took out his key and turned the lock on the back door. Harry began shaking.

“Harry,” Hermione started but was hushed from a dismissed wave of his hand.

“I’m all right,” Harry said, voice cracking.

When they entered the dining room, they noticed it was deathly silent. Draco looked at Harry questionably and Harry pointed to the staircase. They followed him and even though it appeared to be empty, the four of them remained quiet. Harry led them to his room and his hand froze on the doorknob.

“I-I can\'t.”

Draco gently pushed him aside and opened the door. Even though Harry didn’t want to see it, he couldn’t help but peer inside. It was exactly the way he remembered it from last summer. Nothing was out of place and Harry breathed a sigh of relief.

“I will wait downstairs,” Snape said, breaking the silence and causing the other three to jump.

Draco and Hermione nodded then turned back to Harry.

“Lets get you packed,” the blond said.

“All right,” Harry said, barely above a whisper.

There wasn’t really much of Harry’s that was left there, but some simple drawings of Hedwig and a few items here and there. Harry looked around frantically as if he was searching for something important.

“Harry? What’s…?” Hermione began.

“My photo album! I didn’t take it with me this year,” he replied, his voice rising.

“Don’t worry, Harry. We’ll find it,” Draco said, giving him a small stroke on his back.

The young wizard knew exactly where he left it, but it wasn’t there. He closed his eyes then turned to face his two friends.

“I think I know where it is.”

They looked at him curiously.

“Dudley’s room.”

“I’ll go get it,” Draco declared, but Harry stood in his way.

“No. I will.”

“Harry, no,” Hermione said, panicking.

The young man held out his hands to stop them stopping him.

“Its all right. Nothing happened in there,” he said, bravely.

Draco frowned and Hermione bit her lower lip.

“Trust me.”

Harry shut the door behind him and took the ten steps to his cousin’s room. He swallowed hard and turned the doorknob. The room was a complete mess just as Harry knew it would be. His eyes scanned the room, hoping the album would be in plain site. It wasn’t of course. Harry couldn’t believe how stupid he was for leaving such a valuable possession behind. He shook his head. It was too late to scold himself over it, and Harry just wanted to find it and leave as soon as possible.

He searched the obvious places the album could be. Under the broken toys, papers that was thrown about, under the mattress. But it was nowhere to be found. Harry knelt on the floor, frustrated. Suddenly, he had an idea. Under the bed. He bent over and raised the sheets that were hanging loosely over the edge. The bedroom door creaked open and Harry shot up and turned.

“Fancy seeing you here, Potter. Miss us, did you?”

Harry wanted to faint.


~*~*~*~*~*~


Three of the five boys were on Harry in a heartbeat. They jerked him to standing position and Dudley walked over to him.

“You didn’t think we’d let you go without saying ‘Goodbye’, did you?” his cousin smirked.

“Let me go,” Harry hissed, trying to break free of the other boy’s firm grasp.

Dudley snorted then snapped his fingers at the three, who immediately released him. Harry glanced between the large boy and the door.

“Well go on then,” the other boy challenged. “If you can.”

A rush of panic hit Harry and ran blindly towards his freedom. He almost made it, but he fell just a few feet from the door. Instantly, a balled up sock was shoved into his mouth and he was flipped over on his back. Two of the boys leaned on the closed door while the others pinned Harry down.

“Did you honestly think it would be that easy?” Dudley chuckled, leaning over him.

Harry tensed up and closed his eyes. He gave a muffled scream as he felt his belt roughly being undone. He snapped open his eyes in horror. His trouser legs were pulled down, exposing his pants. Harry tried to scream again, but froze when a large knife lightly touched his stomach then ran over to the sides of his briefs. He closed his eyes again and in a flash, he heard shouts followed by “Stupefy!”

Harry flinched violently when a pair of hands took hold of his bruised arm.

“Shh. Its all right now, Harry.”

“I’m so sorry, Harry. I honestly didn’t think they’d be here.”

The soaked sock was removed from Harry’s mouth and he gingerly sat up. On the floor in front of him were five muggle boys petrified. He glanced over his shoulder and there stood Snape, wand still at the ready, pointing at Dudley and his gang. Draco helped Harry up and pulled his trousers back in place.

He gave Draco a hard look. “But you knew, didn’t you?”

“I had an idea, yes,” the blond smirked.

Harry looked back at the five while Hermione and Draco hugged him tight.

“I believe the two of you can handle it from here,” Snape drawled.

They spun around and Harry’s two friends grinned.

“Yes I believe we can,” Draco snorted.

“What are you going to do?” Harry asked, wide-eyed.

A sly smile was the blond’s only answer.


~*~*~*~*~*~


“Hermione, I can\'t believe you agreed to this,” Harry said, shaking his head at her.

“Harry, you’re my best friend. What they did to you was unforgivable. I hoped Draco was wrong, but…I’m not going to sit by and watch them get away with this!”

Harry opened his mouth to argue, but was interrupted by Draco walking in the room.

“They’re ready,” he smiled. “Do you have it with you?” Draco asked Hermione.

“Of course I do,” she huffed, pulling out a muggle camera and Harry’s mouth flew open.

“Then let’s go,” the blond said, gesturing to the door.

Harry reluctantly pushed himself away from the wall, but stopped.

“What about Snape?” he whispered.

“What about him?” Draco laughed. “Honestly, Harry.”

Harry shot his head over to Hermione. She was looking down with an amused grin. Hermione? She nudged him towards the door. Harry followed the two of them and paused at his bedroom door. He blinked several times at the scene before him. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.


~*~*~*~*~*~


TBC