There Is A Thin Line Between Hate And Love

Disclaimer: Not mine. Please don‘t sue I don‘t have any money
Pairing: (Eventually) Harry/Draco
Author: Catium
Beta: Moi
Rating: PG – 13
Word Count:
Genre: Romance/ Drama.
Status: In Progress.
Warnings: Language.
Summary: What happens when that thin line between hate and love starts to disappear? Starts in the Half Blood Prince then moves on to year 7. The Deathly Hallows never happened.

Note: Thanks so much to everyone that has read and reviewed the story.


There Is A Thin Line Between Hate And Love – Chapter 4. Telling the Truth

Lupin was looking more confused than ever when he opened the door wide
and said.

“Get in. It won’t help the matter if the muggles see you wearing cloaks.”

Snape stepped in first and Draco, Narcissa and Claudia followed. When they were inside Lupin closed the door and warded them. Then he turned around and pointed his wand at them. Draco thought it pretty obvious that they weren’t going to use their wands otherwise they would have pulled them out by now.

Lupin’s look was that of utter suspicion and Draco heard him muttering tohimself“What are you up to?”

Draco started to say,

“We aren’t up…” but was cut off when Lupin shouted

“McGonagall, Moody, Tonks, all of you. Could you please come out here? I
need a bit of help!”

The doors at the back of the hall opened and Draco saw McGonagall, MadEye Moody, a girl with bubble gum pink hair, a big bold black fellow, some guy who looked like a dog and, that Fleur chick from the TriWizard tournament and around 5 of the Weasley’s coming out. Clearly an Order meeting had been fully under the way only moments before.

McGonagall saw immediately what was going on and before Draco or Snape could utter a single word, there were 11 wands being pointed at them and everywhere Draco looked there was a look of disgust and hate. Surprisingly that hate looked like it was only pointed at Snape.

“So, Potter must have told them everything” he thought.

Draco, Narcissa and Snape all lifted up their hands, like to show that they were unarmed. No one was even giving Claudia a first look.

Then Moody was the first to speak up

“Keep your hands there and don’t move muscle.”

“Oh Merlin,” Draco thought,” We are going to get killed even before we can open our mouths.”

Moody spoke again.

“What should we do, Minerva?”

McGonagall didn’t reply she stared at Snape at then she said, her voice sounding almost broken and very disappointed.

“How could you Severus? How could you kill Albus? After everything he did for you. He trusted you Severus.”

Suddenly Lupin was pointing his wand at Snape’s heart.

“Sirius was right.” He said, “James should have allowed you to find me in my werewolf form so I could have killed you, then Dumbledore would still be alive.”

Remus lifted his wand and started to utter a curse. Then all ofsudden his wand flew out of his hand and Claudia grabbed it.

“DON’T YOU DARE HURTI HIM!” she screamed. “Don’t you dare hurt Uncle Severus.” She looked at Remus like he was the most evil person in the world. Then she looked at the other members of the Order. “Don’t you understand? We need your help. Dumbledore asked Uncle Severus to kill him. Uncle Severus didn’t want to kill him and neither did Draco. They didn’t want that to happen and they are so sorry for what they did but Dumbledore made Uncle Severus promise. Draco had to kill Dumbledore or the Dark Lord would have killed me and my mom and Draco. We’ve come here because we need your help. Uncle Severus and Draco wanna quit the Death Eaters, they don’t wanna be bad. They never wanted to be bad, but it was the only way for them to survive. And for Draco to keep my mom and me alive. They are so sorry. If you don’t help us, then it won’t matter if you kill us; either way we
are dead meat. Not only Uncle Severus and Draco but my mom and me too.
Can’t we please explain why we are here?” A little sob escaped Claudia’s lips
“Please?” she repeated.

“Oh my,” McGonagall said “That’s…oh my”

“What should we do McGonagall?” MadEye asked.

“We should have a meeting and decide what to do” McGonagall said. “Tonks, please stay here and keep an eye on our visitors, it will only be 10 minutes tops” She said and her and the rest of the Order went back to the room.

When they were gone Tonks looked at them still with her wand drawn. She was ignoring Snape but literally staring at the Malfoy’s. Narcissa was staring at Tonks too.

Finally it was Tonks how broke the silence.

“You’re Narcissa Malfoy. Aren’t you?” she said to Narcissa.

“Yes I am” Narcissa said,

“I guess you know my mother Andromeda?”

“Well we are sister” Narcissa replied, “although I haven’t spoken to her in 25 years, when she ran off with that Ned Tonks and then she had a baby a year later I heard, a girl. I assume that is you?”

“Yes” Tonks replied, and then to Draco amazement Tonks lowered her wand and walked forward with her hand reached out. She stopped a step from Narcissa, still holding out her hand and said.

“Nymphadora Tonks, it’s a pleasure to meet you aunt. My mom has told me
a lot about you. She really misses you. Do you know that?”

Narcissa took her hand and smiled a sad smile.

“No I didn’t know that. I thought she hated my guts since I disowned her, like the rest of the family did, except nephew Sirius. But you have to know I was forced to, otherwise I would have been in a world of trouble and probably disowned too. And I miss her too. Very much, although I had to act like I didn’t.”

Narcissa let go off Tonks hand and added

“It is really nice too meet you, Nymphadora. I’m Narcissa Malfoy, your aunt.”

Tonks face was plastered with a very strange look.

“Please aunt Cissa, don’t call me Nymphadora. I really don’t like that name. Call me Tonks. Everybody does. Even my boyfriend.”

“All right then Tonks, I’m going to ask you about your boyfriend later, but right now is not the time, seeing has how we are kind of your prisoners and enemies. We will talk when the time is right and perhaps we can take a little visit to your mother’s.”
The door at the end of the hall opened and everyone came out. McGonagall looked shocked to see Tonks with her wand lowered and clearly interacting with the enemy.

“Tonks! What on earth are you doing?”

“I’m talking to my aunt and my niece and nephew and just so you know” Tonks looked at McGonagall and everyone else with a glare that dared them to object with her “I believe them. They are telling the truth. Although I’ve only heard it from a third party, that happens to be an eleven year old girl, I still believe them. Eleven years old can’t lie like that and they sure as hell are not that good at acting.

McGonagall sighed. “I see, old pure blood family bonds, can clearly overcome everything,” she said, her voice sounding stern and then she raised it as too make her point. “, Even 25 years where individuals don’t see or talk to each other and are on different side of wars.”

She glared at Tonks how glared back. Everyone else was just staring at them. Most of them had never seen Tonks angry or even in any other mood than goodspirit.

“Now you listen and listen good Minerva. My mom grew up with aunt Narcissa seeing as how they are sisters. Mom told me a lot about Narcissa and how she was. Once she even told me straight and I quote. “My sister was perhaps forced in to a arranged marriage with a Death Eater, but she is a good person and I know that she would rather die than participate in any Death Eater activities or even allow her husband too become an openly follower. She will do everything she can to protect her kids, and if it comes to it, she will leave her husband in order to protect her kids from becoming Death Eaters themselves.” So you see McGonagall, I believe them because of that and also because no one knows you better than your own sister not even if they
haven’t spoken together for 25 years. As you can see they are here know and what Claudia said earlier fits what my mother told my. Narcissa has left her home and therefore husband and risked everything to protect Draco from going any further down the Death Eater path.”

“McGonagall” Moody interrupted. “Shouldn’t we go on with it?”

“Yes we should” McGonagall looked at Draco, Snape, Narcissa and Claudia. “We have decided to listen to what you have to say.”

Draco sighed and he saw that his mother, sister and Snape were all visibly relieved.

“But we are going this like an interrogation. You are all, except the little girl, going to get doses of Veritaserum; we are going to use Legilimency. Do not try to fight us when we use it or else we will decide that you have something to hide and will contact the Ministry. At last two of us will use the Truth Spell on both you Draco and you Snape. Are there any questions before we begin?”

“Yes I have two questions”, Draco said with his hand raised. First why does the Ministry thing that it was an unknown Death Eater that killed Dumbledore, when you all know the truth. Secondly. What the bloody hell is a truth spell?”

“Language, Mr. Malfoy” McGonagall said “Too your first question the answer is that we didn’t tell the Ministry we knew it was Snape that killed Dumbledore, because we wanted to find him ourselves and give him a proper punishment. It was a mutual decision, all though it did take forever to get Potter to promise not to tell any Ministry official about what really happened on the tower. We decided that Azkaban was not punishment enough for him. Secondly a Truth Spell is a spell that a wizard or a witch can only use once during their lifetime. It takes a great deal of talent to be able to perform it correctly and you can’t practice it only learn the theory behind it. The caster performs the spell on one person and asks that person one question. That person can only answer the question truthfully and there is no way for anyone to cheat on the spell, which is a possibility when using Veritaserum. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I do”, Draco, answered.

“Why don’t we start with you then? Tonks, Alastor, Remus, and Arthur you are going to help me with the interrogation. Charley and Kingsley if you would please watch out for the rest of our “guests?”

Kingsley and Charley noted and Kingsley took out his wand and conjured chairs for everybody.

“Fred, George and Molly you can take your leave if you want. Let’s go in to the kitchen then so we can start with the interrogation.”

“Oh Merlin, this is it. Either they believe me or we’re all dead. Talking about being under pressure.”

They all went into the kitchen and McGonagall pointed Draco towards a chair were he would be able to sit. She sat against him and so did Moody. Arthur was leaning against the wall beside the door; Tonks and Remus were leaning up on the kitchen cabinets.

“All right Mr.Malfoy,” McGonagall said. Why don’t you just start by telling us your story? No Veritaserum, no Truth Spell. Just tell us the truth. Then we will give you some Veritaserum and interrogate you on what we don’tbelieve.”

Which won’t be a word since all Malfoy’s are a bunch of lying scum and this one is no different. The apple doesn’t fall far from the oak.” MadEye spat out with all the loathing he could muster.

“Hey, that’s not fair I haven’t even started saying anything yet.”

“Alastor”, McGonagall warned. “You are going to have to leave if you don’t behave. And Draco the Malfoy’s have not been the most truthful persons over the years, that’s true. I don’t honestly thing I’ve ever heard a true word coming from his mouth.”

“Well I’m NOT my father.” Draco spat.

“Why don’t we just all calm down now and let Mr. Malfoy start his story?” Lupin said.

“Yes you’re right Remus. Thank you” McGonagall said. “But before we begin. Is there anything you would like Draco, something to drink perhaps? This is going to take awhile and we are not cruel people. You haven’t done anything wrong yet, since it was Snape that killed Albus not you.”

“N…” Draco was starting to say but then he just thought “Fuck it all, I haven’t had any for more than a month now since I finished my pack during the first week in the dungeon and I’m as nervous as hell.” “Yes actually there is one thing but please I’m begging you not to tell my mom!”

Everybody were looking at him with curiosity, McGonagall even did an
excellent Snape impression by lifting her eye brown.

“Could one of you, please go to the nearest shop and get me a pack of smokes?”

“A pack of what?” Arthur said.

“Smokes. You know?” but clearly they didn’t know since they were all starting to stare at him like he was a little crazy. “Oh man and I thought I was supposed to be the one ignorant about muggle stuff. It’s a tobacco thing. The muggles wraps it up in this paper and then they put fire at one end, burn it and smoke it.”

“Mr. Malfoy! Are you talking about cigarettes?” McGonagall said in shock.

“Yes I am and you are not my teacher and neither are we in school any more so please don’t look at me like this. When YouKnowW ho gave me, my assignment I was so nervous and this was the only thing that calmed me. Crabbe and Goyle had be smoking for years and one day about month after school started and I was first starting to realize I was doomed if I managed the assignment and doomed if I didn’t. I just started to join them and it calmed me and I haven’t had a cigarette in more than a month and I just really want to smoke…please?”

“I’m really disappointed in you Mr.Malfoy” McGonagall said. “You know these things can kill you?”

Draco snorted at that comment. “Yeah because my life is so save at the moment because I’m not betraying the Dark Lord and running to the Order to get a protection.”

“Tonks, could you please go down to the shop at the corner and get Mr. Malfoy his pack of cigarettes. Here are some muggle money”

McGonagall gave Tonks some money and she noted her head and was going to leave when Draco said

“Wait, ask for a pack of Marlboro I can’t smoke anything else. There are different kinds you see. And ask for a lighter too. Otherwise I won’t be able to smoke them.”

“Ok”, Tonks said and left.

After about 10 minutes she came back with a pack of Marlboro and a lighter, which was green.

“I could pick different colours of this lighter things and this was a really appropriate color.” She said smirking as she tossed him his Marlboro’s and lighter that was green .Draco grabbed them easily opened the pack, took one cigarette and lit it. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

“Thank you so much.” He said. “So you want to know why we all became to be in this huge mess? Ok so I will start from the top then.”

Draco started telling them how about a year ago his aunt Bellatrix, came to the Malfoy manor. His father had just been arrested for the incident in the ministry and the Dark Lord was furious. She said that the Dark Lord wanted to see him. Draco was scared but knew that refusing to come would get him killed so he grabbed his cloak and went with her. When they came the Dark Lord’s house Draco went to the room where He was waiting. There He told him that He had assignment for him. To kill Dumbledore with any means necessary and find a way to get his Death Eaters inside Hogwarts. If he could his his father would be freed from Azkaban and he would be rewarded beyond his dreams. If not… Draco knew that failing would cause him and his whole family their life so he accepted. He went home and told his mother. Narcissa went mad when she heard this and left immediately from the house, saying something about having to talk to Severus. Bellatrix followed saying that plan was a secret and if Snape didn’t know it was not their place to tell. What happened at Snape’s Draco didn’t know at the time. When his mother returned she was calmer and even smiled, just told Draco that he could his just to be careful. Then Draco went to school and he started trying to work out a plan and even put some in motion, which didn’t end really well, with a lot of people getting hurt. But the plan about getting the Death Eaters inside was going better. It just took time. Then it finally worked as the Death Eaters came to Hogwarts. Draco went to the Astronomy tower to send the Dark Mark up in the air and put the trap up for Dumbledore. Then he waited inside so Dumbledore wouldn’t see him. When he heard Dumbledore land he busted out and disarmed him. Then he was standing there and all of sudden Dumbledore was saying too him, that he wasn’t a murderer and that he could protect him.

“I was going to put down my wand when the others came upstairs” Draco said. “Then Snape came and… and killed him. We ran…Snape yelled that it was over. We managed to almost get to the edge of the grounds when Snape was almost hit by a curse. He told me to go and turned around and faced Potter. He blocked him off and then he came and we apparated to our Lord. There we told him everything except that Snape said it was me not him that killed Dumbledore and he managed to bully the other Death Eaters in saying that too. Our Lord even used Occlumency on us and didn’t find out the truth, He was very pleased. Then he summoned the rest of the Death Eaters and…”
“What Malfoy” Moody almost shouted. “What did he do?”

Draco didn’t answer. Instead he started to roll up his left shirt sleeve he turned his upper left arm up so they could see his mark.

“He marked me.” Draco said quietly.

Everyone just started with disgust on their face.

“I did what I have to do. I couldn’t bloody well say no thanks, then we would surely not be having this conversation.”

“All right” McGonagall said, “We should have expected this. Please Draco roll your sleeve back down. This is not something I want to look at for too long. Then what?”

Draco continued.

He told them about going to the Manor to hide. Told them about a conversation he had with Snape when Snape told him about the Unbreakable oath his mother made him help him, Draco, in fulfilling his task and getting out of it alive. Hence the lie to the Dark Lord about him killing Dumbledore not Snape. Snape would have died if he hadn’t told the lie because Voldemort would have killed Draco and Snape would have broken the oath. Then he told them about the time he used Occlumency on Snape and found out about that Snape had promised Dumbledore to keep him alive and save at all cost. Even if that meant killing Dumbledore himself and how he felt quality about it and all.

“Wait a second!” Arthur interrupted. “You used Occlumency on Snape?
Snape of all people?”

“Well I am really good at Occlumency and Legilimency. The reason why I could show the Dark Lord false memory’s when he used Occlumency on me. Snape has been training me for years and he was asleep so it was easier. Then I kept doing it for a while and found out about him feeling quality and then I confronted him. He was furious at first but then I explained myself and we came up with the Plan.”

“What plan?” Moody said.

“Going to the Order of the Phoenix whom I think you’ve heard about. Betraying our Lord. Telling you everything and hoping that we could join you. We even thought up a way for Snape keeping on being a spy for you.”

“How’s that plan Mr.Malfoy?” McGonagall asked.

“If you believe us, then Snape will return to our Lord.” Draco said. “Snape will tell him that we have gone and visited the Order and told them “everything” and that we felt quality and wanted to make everything right and turn good, much like Snape did to Dumbledore all those years ago. That you had believed us, and now you think that we are on your side but really we are on His side and now He has two spies. Of course I won’t be able to come very often because you are keeping me on a really short leash, since I killed Dumbledore but Snape will tell him everything we both have found out. Of course the Dark Lord will get angry for us not telling him the plan before hand, but Snape will tell him that if we would have done that you all would have found out that we were lying, since you use Veritaserum and asked us if this was plan we made with the Dark Lord. Our Lord will still get really angry perhaps use Crucio on Snape but then he will see that we are right and tell Snape to get back so you all will believe that the meeting went alright. After that everything will be just like before. Snape will be spying for you on Our Lord. Our Lord will thing that Snape is spying for him and that the Order just things it has a loyal spy among His mist. I will just try and stay away from going to meeting by claiming that you don’t trust me. You see?”

“All right Mr.Malfoy. Thank you” McGonagall said, “and yes I do believe I see. What do you thing?” She said to Lupin, Tonks, Mr.Weasley and Moody.

“Let’s use Veritaserum on him!” Moody said.

They did just that and Draco had to repeat everything under the influence of Veritaserum and he got so many questions about everything in his story that it made O.W.Ls seem like a walk in the park. Finally they seemed to be not able to ask him any more questions and McGonagall decided to use the Truth Spell on him. The question was really simple.

“Is everything you’ve been telling us here in this room true?” She asked.

“Yes every word” Draco answered, “I swear.”

“All right then. Tonks if you would be so kind and escort Mr.Malfoy out into the hall. It’s almost evening and we should take a break. Give everyone something to eat. Have a meeting to get everyone, how weren’t in here, up to speed and decide if we believe Mr.Malfoy. If wehen we shall interrogate Mrs. Malfoy. Then we will discuss what she will tell us. Have a couple of hours sleep and continue tomorrow starting with the girl.”

Tonks walked Draco out. She told him that they would all be escorted to separate rooms so they wouldn’t be able to talk to each other and get their stories straight. Fred and George walked Draco upstairs. Neither said a word to him and simply threw him into the room where he was supposed to be staying. All his stuff was already there back to its original size.

“Hope you enjoy your stay, sir” they said sarcastically, closed and locked the door.

The next couple of days went by. Draco knew that his mother, sister and then Snape were being interrogated and after every interrogation the Order had a meeting to get everyone up to speed like McGonagall had put it. Tonks came regularly to tell him a bit what was going on, giving him food and allowing him to use the bathroom.

Then after what seemed like a week, Tonks came to his room wearing a weird look on her face. Draco just felt that something was happening and stood up from his bed.

“We’ve reached a decision. Please come downstairs with me.”
Draco followed her and was very nervous. He couldn’t read anything from her look. He swallowed a lump in his throat.

“Is her lack of expression a good or bad thing?” he wondered.

They came down to the kitchen. To Draco it seemed almost like walking into a Death Eater meeting. Some people he knew others he had never seen and the air was just as tension filled like at every Death Eater meeting. “So this is the Order of the Phoenix in all its glory, oh Merlin. There are at least 3 Death Eaters to every Order member and it’s only going to increase over the next months.”

“Have a seat, Draco”

McGonagall said who was sitting at the end of the table.Draco had a seat between his mother and Snape. Claudia was sitting on his mother left hand. Draco noticed that everybody, just like him, looked dead tired.“We have reached our decision” McGonagall started. She looked at every one in the room in one go and her gaze stayed on Draco, Narcissa, Claudia and Snape.

“This has been one of the hardest decisions in my life and probably many of yours to. The last time we trusted you Snape.” She looked firmly at Snape. “Our Head of the Order and my very old friend Albus Dumbledore died. You…” she looked at Draco, “have been marked as a Death Eater. Many people were not convinced about this since the Malfoy’s have history in following the Dark Arts. Narcissa you made it so that it was Snape instead of your son that killed Dumbledore. And you little girl… she said to Claudia.

“It’s Claudia”, Claudia said a little harsh, then she added, “Professor McGonagall.”

“You, Claudia, have been very brave and mature way beyond your age. I just wanted to make those things clear to you before I say…”

“Oh Meræom this is way too much stress for just two months. First getting my Lord to believe me, then the Order. Oh please dear God, Merlin, Buddha, whatever is out there, just please.” Draco thought desperately.

“We believe you and we think that your plan which everyone has been informed about is going to be the next logical step. Severus when you’re ready, have had some sleep and for heaven’s sakes eaten something, you will go to You-Know-Who and perform the plan. You managed it once. I’ve no doubt it will work again.”

Draco was so relieved that a huge smile broke out on his face. Narcissa hugged both him and Claudia and looked at McGonagall with tears in her eyes.

“Thank you McGonagall. Thank you so much.”

Snape nodded his head “Yes thank you Minerva and you all for believing us. I know it wouldn’t be easy for you to believe that Dumbledore would ask anyone to kill him. Nevertheless he did it so that Draco would stay like Dumbledore said in his own words, intact by the dark thing that murder is because it’s vital to the war.” Snape looked at Draco. “I hope Albus was right about you.”

“Well he has been right about everything in the past so why on earth should he go wrong now” McGonagall said. “But to summon up, we believe you. Severus you are going to go to Him as soon as you feel ready too, which I suggest happens within the next 24 hours. Draco you are not to see him or any Death Eaters if possible. About that I think it’s best if you four to stay here at Grimmauld Place. It follows your plan about telling You-Know-Who that we are keeping a close eye on you four. Draco you will go to Hogwarts next fall, Claudia will of course start her first year. Severus you will resume your Potions professor position and Narcissa I think it’s best if we arrange you with rooms within the castle. This brings us to our next problem.”

McGonagall took a deep breath.

“How on earth are we going to convince Potter? He’s more stubborn than a Hippogriff and he hates you two with passion.” She looked at Draco and Snape at those words. “Sometimes I think getting even with you two is higher on his list of priorities than saving the Wizarding world from You-Know-Who. But I think that with the evidence we’ve got over the last couple of days and some well placed arguments from me and perhaps you Remus”. She looked at Lupin at those words, “and even an apologizes and explanations from you two should be in order. You haven’t exactly been his best buddies over the years and even gone a bit out of your way to try and make his life miserable. Well more miserable than it already is.”

“Ok I’ll do it” Draco said. “I will apologize. No problem and tell him my point of view. Whatever it takes.”

Snape didn’t say anything.

“Severus…?” McGonagall urged.

“He will probably thing I’ve been hit by Imperious if I start apologizing to him and explaining myself, but I can try.” Snape said

“Right then I will also have to convince him to return to Hogwarts this fall since one of the last thing he told me before he left for his family was that he had to do some kind of mission for Dumbledore as soon as Bill and Fleur’s wedding are over. Because of that he wouldn’t come back. I hope I will be able to get him to tell me this mission then perhaps we as the Order will be able to help with the mission and he can go to school and stay safe there. Well, at least if we don’t get any more Death Eaters attacks this year. I guess its best just getting it over with. Molly could you please prepare something for us to eat it’s almost lunch. Arthur, Would you go to the Burrow and get Harry? He’s been ok with you this summer hasn’t he? Just helping with the upcoming wedding?”

“Yes and getting some skin back on his bones. I’m not sure his relatives gave him anything to eat during those two weeks he stayed with them. I’ll go back and get him then.”
At those words Arthur turned around and went out to Apparate to the Burrow.

“Oh Merlin. More drama.” Draco thought, “Hasn’t the last couple days been enough? Now I’m going to have to deal with Harry bloody Potter.”

TBC

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