No Longer Strangers
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Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
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Category:
Harry Potter › Slash - Male/Male › Harry/Draco
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
1
Views:
738
Reviews:
1
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
No Longer Strangers
Disclaimer: I own none of the Harry Potter characters or places. They all belong to the wonderful J.K. Rowling and her publishers.
A/N: This story was kind of inspired by the song ‘Strangers’ by Martina McBride. It was also written well before HBP came out.
No Longer Strangers
Chapter 1
Harry Potter’s final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was nearing its end. He only had a week to go until he would take his N.E.W.T.S (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests). However, despite this fact, he was not studying for the tests as most other 7th year students in the school were. No, he was preparing himself to battle with Lord Voldemort for, hopefully, the last time.
He had decided along with Albus Dumbledore, the current headmaster of Hogwarts and the leader of the Order of the Phoenix, that the time had come to stop waiting for Voldemort to attack and to attack him instead. They were calling together all of the members of the Order. They had also informed the Minister of Magic of what they were planning to do, so that the Aurors and other magical law enforcement personal could be there to help. Amazingly Cornelius Fudge had managed to hold onto the office of Minister, despite him denying for a year that Voldemort had returned.
Harry was currently in the Headmasters office, going over the final plans for the battle that would be taking place one week after the school let out for the summer. Both Harry and Dumbledore decided he had done all the training he possibly could. He would have a few more practice sessions with Remus Lupin but for the most part it would be just sitting and waiting. Besides, he still had his N.E.W.T.S to take.
Harry wanted to do well on these tests on the off chance that he would be able to defeat Voldemort. He wanted to be able to choose a career after the battle. Suddenly there came a knock on the door.
“Come in.” Dumbledore called.
“Please forgive the interruption headmaster. I must speak with you immediately.” said a silver-blond haired young man as he opened the door and walked into the office. Harry scowled when he realized who it was: Draco Malfoy.
Draco was the son of Lucius Malfoy, a well known Death Eater who had managed once again to get released from Azkaban and cleared of all charges of being a Death Eater. Rumour had it that Draco had joined the ranks of the Death Eaters this past summer.
“Of course, Mr. Malfoy. Harry if you will excuse us please. We will continue our discussion tomorrow.” Harry nodded and left the office. Draco never even acknowledged his presence.
Harry went down the stairs and headed for the Room of Requirement to find Remus. He felt like having a practice session.
* * *
“Mr. Malfoy, please take a seat. Now, what did you need to speak to me about?”
“I have just returned from a Death Eaters meeting, as I’m sure you know.” Draco said as he took a seat. He had informed Snape of the meeting and knew that Severus would pass the information on to Dumbledore. Dumbledore nodded and motioned for Draco to continue.
“We were just informed of your plans to attack the Death Eaters. The Dark Lord ha decided that while you and the Order are off searching for them they are going to attack Hogwarts and Hogsmeade in order to overtake them.” Draco said with a sigh.
“How did Voldemort find out about our plans?” Dumbledore asked with slight surprise.
“It appears that Minister Fudge is in fact a Death Eater and he informed the Dark Lord of your plans.”
“I see. Then we will have to change our plans. Is the attack still planned for one week after graduation?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for this information Draco. Now if you will excuse me, I have plans to make.” Draco nodded and left the office. He half expected Harry to be waiting outside to see what was so important. When he wasn’t there, Draco gave a slight shrug and headed for the dungeons to study for the upcoming exams.
* * * *
When Harry reached the Room of Requirement he knocked on the door and waited to be allowed in.
“Ah, Harry, please come in.” Remus said as he opened the door.
“Hi Remus. Are you busy?” Harry asked as he entered the room.
“Not at all. What can I do for you?” Remus asked closing the door and turning to face Harry.
“I was wondering if you wanted to have a practice session with me?”
“Of course. Just let me go get my wand and the swords.” Remus replied walking into another room. Harry looked around the room. It had transformed itself into a nice one bedroom apartment. Remus was not currently teaching at Hogwarts and there were no empty teachers rooms, so he stayed here.
“Here we go. Where did you want to practice at?” Remus asked, walking back into the room and handing Harry Godric Gryffindor’s sword.
Dumbledore had given this sword to Harry this past year with the information that he was in fact descended from the founder. Harry could feel his strength and magic increase when he held the sword. Dumbledore had also told him when the time came he would be able to draw on the strength of the founders that was held within the sword.
“I was thinking of that meadow on the other side of the lake. No one would be able to see us there. I had considered the Quidditch pitch but we would probably draw a crowd. Also I don’t want to mess it up with any of the curses we’d be throwing at each other.” Remus just nodded his head in agreement and they headed out of the castle.
* * * *
Dumbledore sat in his office thinking over the information Draco had just given him. He would have to recall all of the Order members to Hogwarts. He reached for parchment, quill, and ink. He needed to inform Kingsley Shacklebolt of the change of plans immediately so he could gather the Aurors they knew were loyal and prepare them for what was to come.
His next letter was addressed to Molly and Arthur Weasley, who had moved into Order headquarters permanently earlier that year. The Burrow had been attacked at Christmas and the house had been destroyed. Luckily the Order had been fore warned of the attack and had been able to help the Weasley’s get out everything that could not e left behind. Arthur had been the last to leave the day it was attacked and was surprised at who was leading the attack. When he arrived at headquarters he had told everyone there that his own son, Percy, was the one that had destroyed the house when he realized that his family had escaped. It was meant to be an attack against Harry. Percy had thought if his family was killed it would be a major blow to Harry and make him more vulnerable and easier to kill and it had failed. He knew he would be severely punished.
Molly and Arthur would be responsible for letting the rest of the Order members know of the change of plans.
He than wrote a note for Draco with certain instructions for after the battle. He would give it to him the following morning.
Dumbledore got up from his desk and headed for the door to his office. He needed to speak to Severus about having Draco meet him in his office first thing in the morning. As he walked, he pulled a coin out of his pocket, waved his wand over it and muttered an incantation.
This was one of the coins that Hermione Granger had charmed to let DA members know when the next meeting was to be held. He then walked out of his office and headed for the dungeons.
* * * *
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were sitting in the Gryffindor common room studying for the upcoming exams when they felt their pockets grow warm. They looked up at Seamus Finnigan, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Lavender Brown, and Parvati Patil, who had also felt the coin in their pockets grow warm. They were all studying together for their exams. They all nodded once and left the common room as a group.
The coins had only been given to the 7th year students that were members of the DA. The only time the coin was used was when they had a strategy meeting and it was still held in the Room of Requirement.
* * * *
Outside in the meadow, Harry and Remus were duelling with the swords when Harry felt a coin in his pocket grow excessively warm.
“Remus, stop.” Harry nearly yelped as he pulled the coin out of his pocket. “We need to go back inside. Dumbledore’s called a DA meeting.” Remus nodded, too out of breath to speak, and they headed back toward the castle.
* * * *
Draco was sitting in the Slytherin common room looking over his potions notes and keeping an eye on his friend, Blaise Zabini. He knew that Dumbledore was likely to call a meeting of the 7th year DA members. He was the only Slytherin that knew that Blaise was a part of the DA. Blaise was the only one, other than Snape and Dumbledore, that knew that Draco was a spy. Draco saw Blaise reach into his pocket and pull out a coin. Blaise looked up at him and gave him one small nod before leaving the common room.
* * * *
The Gryffindors were the first to reach the Room of Requirement. They knocked on the door and when they received no response went in to wait. It was the same room they had used back in their 5th year when the DA was first started. There was no trace of Remus Lupin’s quarters, though they all knew that this was where he was staying.
They were soon joined by Padma Patil, Terry Boot, Michael Corner, and Anthony Goldstein, who were all in Ravenclaw. Five minutes later they were joined by Ernie McMillian, Justin Finch-Fletchly, Hannah Abbot, and Susan Bones, who were all in Hufflepuff. Right behind them was Blaise Zabini, the only Slytherin member of the group.
Last to arrive was Harry, Remus, and Professor Dumbledore. When they were all seated, Dumbledore called them to order.
“I am sorry for interrupting your study time, but I have just received some unpleasant news. It appears that Voldemort has learned of our plans to attack him and the Death Eaters and has planned a counter strike. He plans on attacking both Hogsmeade and Hogwarts itself.” Everyone was stunned at this news. Harry was finally the one to ask the question that was on everyone’s mind.
“How did he find out?”
“Fudge.” The simple answer did not cause as much of an uproar as you might think. All of the Gryffindors and most of the other students in the room suspected Fudge of being a Death Eater when well known Death Eaters were let out of prison more than once. Most everyone just nodded their acceptance of the muttered name.
“What do we do now?” Hermione asked, knowing it was the next question everyone wanted answered.
“I have already written letters to members of the Order to bring them here rather than meeting at Order headquarters. We will be prepared to face Voldemort when he comes. Now the reason I have called you all here. I wanted to know how many of you would be wanting to stay here after the school is let out instead of returning to London on the train.” Every hand was immediately raised into the air.
“Just as I had thought.” Dumbledore said with a slight twinkle in his eyes. “We will have Hogsmeade evacuated. Those of you who have younger siblings at school, I ask that you send your personal items home with them. Those of you who do not can make arrangements with friends to have them picked up by your parents at the station. Only those things that you will need during the week between graduation and the attack is what should be kept here.” Dumbledore said, concluding the meeting.
Harry barely heard the last of what Dumbledore had said. He had already arranged for the Weasley’s to take his stuff back to London as he would have been staying at Hogwarts no matter what. As it was, most of his belongings were already at the house in Godric’s Hollow and all that he had with him currently were the bare necessities for school.
Harry was wondering, instead, how Dumbledore had received this information. Was it possible that Malfoy was acting as a spy? Snape had been compromised as a spy nearly a year ago and as far as Harry knew there wasn’t anyone in Voldemort’s inner circle that could have passed on this information.
* * * *
At that particular moment in the dungeons, Draco was wondering how the DA meeting was going. Then his thoughts turned to the event that had changed his life.
Flashback
Draco had known this day was coming ever since he had started going to Hogwarts. There may have even been a time when he looked forward to it but he wasn’t sure. He had been more interested in a dark haired, green-eyed person since the day they met to really care about what this day truly meant.
Sure he had always been rude and cruel to that person, but that was because he had loved to see those green eyes nearly sparkle with fire. He had also loved that it was him who had made that happen.
Draco was pulled from his thoughts when his father entered the library where he was sitting, supposedly reading a book.
“Well Draco. As you know your 17th birthday is tomorrow. Your mother and I have planned a party for you and I have planned a little extra surprise.”
“May I inquire as to what the surprise is?”
“You may, but if I told you then it would no longer be a surprise, now would it?” Lucius answered with a slight chuckle. With that comment Lucius left the library so Draco could wonder what his surprise might be.
However, Draco thought he knew what that surprise was, his initiation into the Death Eaters. He had already spoken to Professor Dumbledore concerning this particular event. He knew that he had no choice when it came to joining the Death Eaters, however, he had talked Dumbledore into allowing him to spy for the light. Severus was growing weary of his life as a spy. He was also coming under more suspicion of being a traitor to the cause. Therefore, Draco was to turn him in upon his initiation into the ranks of the Death Eaters. The three of them had already discussed this.
End Flashback
Draco’s thought’s then turned to the actual initiation itself.
Flashback
Just as Draco had suspected, the surprise his father had prepared for him was joining the Death Eaters. The reason this had been prepared for his 17th birthday was that when a wizard or witch turned 17 they were considered of legal age by the wizarding world. They were then allowed to do any type of magic they wanted and were not monitored as they were under the age of 17.
Most of the guests at Draco’s party were Death Eaters and their children. After those of his guests that were not Death Eaters left, the rest went down to a room in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor. All of them, with the exception of Draco, donned the black robes and masks that the Death Eaters always wore. As Draco wasn’t an official part of the group yet, he wasn’t allowed to wear a mask. That would come after he had been marked.
Draco knew that Severus was there somewhere and could only hope that he was prepared for what was to come. Upon entering the dungeon, Draco noticed that Voldemort was already there. Draco steeled himself for what he figured would be a very long night.
As the Death Eaters took their places in a circle around Voldemort, Lucius made Draco move to stand in the middle of the room, in front of the Dark Lord. Lucius had told Draco some of what would be expected of him as a follower of the Dark Lord, so that when Voldemort turned to face him, Draco immediately went down on his knees and bowed his head in respect of the Dark Lord. He also used this time to build the mental fences around his mind as Dumbledore and Snape had shown him, so that Voldemort would not be able to tell of his deception.
“Tonight we gather to add another member to our ranks.” Voldemort said, addressing the Death Eaters in the circle surrounding them. “Are you ready to pledge your life to me, young Draco?” Voldemort asked turning back to face Draco.
“Yes, my lord.” Draco answered as he had been instructed by Lucius.
“This is a lifetime pledge. You swear to obey only my orders and pledge yourself to no one else.” Draco could feel Voldemort trying to get inside his mind as he said this. Draco was extremely thankful that Dumbledore and Severus had taught him how to block the thoughts that would give himself away as a traitor. Voldemort, finding nothing but loyalty to him, addressed Draco again.
“Rise then young one and receive the mark that will bind you to me.” Draco rose to his feet and pulled his left robe sleeve up to his elbow. The Dark Lord pressed his wand to Draco’s arm. Draco could feel the mark being burned into his skin. Draco made no noise nor did his face betray the pain he felt as the mark was burned into his skin.
“As you are still in school will not be able to attend all of the meetings. I will only summon you for meetings that are absolutely vital. Now do you have anything you wish to say or ask?” Voldemort said as he pulled his wand away from Draco’s arm.
‘Ok, time to show my allegiance.’ Draco thought to himself before addressing the dark lord.
“I only wish to say how thankful I am that I have been allowed to join in your cause my lord. Also I have news of a traitor in our midst.”
“Really, Draco. Who might this traitor be?” Voldemort asked completely unsurprised by this news.
“Severus Snape.” The circling death eaters murmured at this.
“Is this true Severus? Have you betrayed me?” Voldemort asked as Severus took a step out of the circle.
“Yes, you old snake.” Severus said. Before Voldemort could train his wand on him, Severus said one last word and was gone. “Home” It was the word that activated the portkey he held in his hand. He should have been transported directly to Dumbledore’s office at Hogwarts.
End Flashback
Draco was pulled out of his thoughts as Blaise and Snape entered the Slytherin common room. Before Draco could say anything to Blaise, Snape was calling to him.
“Mister Malfoy, may I have a word with you please?” Draco nodded and stood up, following Snape back out of the common room and to his office. “Professor Dumbledore has asked that you meet him in his office first thing in the morning.” Snape said as he took a seat behind his desk.
“Do you know what this is concerning, Professor?” Draco asked, standing in front of the professor’s desk.
“No, I do not Draco.”
“Is there anything else Professor?”
“No you may go.” Draco gave one short nod and headed back to his common room, wondering what Dumbledore could possibly want from him.
* * * * * * *
After the D.A. meeting, Remus had asked Harry if he wanted to go back out and do some more training. Harry had declined, saying he wanted to spend a little time studying for next weeks exams. ‘Plus,’ he thought to himself, ‘there are a few things I want to think about.’
Harry had walked back to Gryffindor tower with Ron, Hermione, and the other Gryffindor 7th year members of the D.A. He took up his usual seat by the fire and immediately got lost in his own thoughts. The others just let him be, figuring he had a lot to think about concerning the meeting they had just had, and in a way they were right.
Harry had considered asking Blaise if Draco was indeed a spy, but thought better of it. Blaise may not even know. Even if he did know, he may not be willing to tell anyone about it.
Harry finally decided there was nothing he could do about the situation, except sit and wait. He tuned his friends back in and began to study with them.
A/N: This story was kind of inspired by the song ‘Strangers’ by Martina McBride. It was also written well before HBP came out.
No Longer Strangers
Chapter 1
Harry Potter’s final year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was nearing its end. He only had a week to go until he would take his N.E.W.T.S (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests). However, despite this fact, he was not studying for the tests as most other 7th year students in the school were. No, he was preparing himself to battle with Lord Voldemort for, hopefully, the last time.
He had decided along with Albus Dumbledore, the current headmaster of Hogwarts and the leader of the Order of the Phoenix, that the time had come to stop waiting for Voldemort to attack and to attack him instead. They were calling together all of the members of the Order. They had also informed the Minister of Magic of what they were planning to do, so that the Aurors and other magical law enforcement personal could be there to help. Amazingly Cornelius Fudge had managed to hold onto the office of Minister, despite him denying for a year that Voldemort had returned.
Harry was currently in the Headmasters office, going over the final plans for the battle that would be taking place one week after the school let out for the summer. Both Harry and Dumbledore decided he had done all the training he possibly could. He would have a few more practice sessions with Remus Lupin but for the most part it would be just sitting and waiting. Besides, he still had his N.E.W.T.S to take.
Harry wanted to do well on these tests on the off chance that he would be able to defeat Voldemort. He wanted to be able to choose a career after the battle. Suddenly there came a knock on the door.
“Come in.” Dumbledore called.
“Please forgive the interruption headmaster. I must speak with you immediately.” said a silver-blond haired young man as he opened the door and walked into the office. Harry scowled when he realized who it was: Draco Malfoy.
Draco was the son of Lucius Malfoy, a well known Death Eater who had managed once again to get released from Azkaban and cleared of all charges of being a Death Eater. Rumour had it that Draco had joined the ranks of the Death Eaters this past summer.
“Of course, Mr. Malfoy. Harry if you will excuse us please. We will continue our discussion tomorrow.” Harry nodded and left the office. Draco never even acknowledged his presence.
Harry went down the stairs and headed for the Room of Requirement to find Remus. He felt like having a practice session.
* * *
“Mr. Malfoy, please take a seat. Now, what did you need to speak to me about?”
“I have just returned from a Death Eaters meeting, as I’m sure you know.” Draco said as he took a seat. He had informed Snape of the meeting and knew that Severus would pass the information on to Dumbledore. Dumbledore nodded and motioned for Draco to continue.
“We were just informed of your plans to attack the Death Eaters. The Dark Lord ha decided that while you and the Order are off searching for them they are going to attack Hogwarts and Hogsmeade in order to overtake them.” Draco said with a sigh.
“How did Voldemort find out about our plans?” Dumbledore asked with slight surprise.
“It appears that Minister Fudge is in fact a Death Eater and he informed the Dark Lord of your plans.”
“I see. Then we will have to change our plans. Is the attack still planned for one week after graduation?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you for this information Draco. Now if you will excuse me, I have plans to make.” Draco nodded and left the office. He half expected Harry to be waiting outside to see what was so important. When he wasn’t there, Draco gave a slight shrug and headed for the dungeons to study for the upcoming exams.
* * * *
When Harry reached the Room of Requirement he knocked on the door and waited to be allowed in.
“Ah, Harry, please come in.” Remus said as he opened the door.
“Hi Remus. Are you busy?” Harry asked as he entered the room.
“Not at all. What can I do for you?” Remus asked closing the door and turning to face Harry.
“I was wondering if you wanted to have a practice session with me?”
“Of course. Just let me go get my wand and the swords.” Remus replied walking into another room. Harry looked around the room. It had transformed itself into a nice one bedroom apartment. Remus was not currently teaching at Hogwarts and there were no empty teachers rooms, so he stayed here.
“Here we go. Where did you want to practice at?” Remus asked, walking back into the room and handing Harry Godric Gryffindor’s sword.
Dumbledore had given this sword to Harry this past year with the information that he was in fact descended from the founder. Harry could feel his strength and magic increase when he held the sword. Dumbledore had also told him when the time came he would be able to draw on the strength of the founders that was held within the sword.
“I was thinking of that meadow on the other side of the lake. No one would be able to see us there. I had considered the Quidditch pitch but we would probably draw a crowd. Also I don’t want to mess it up with any of the curses we’d be throwing at each other.” Remus just nodded his head in agreement and they headed out of the castle.
* * * *
Dumbledore sat in his office thinking over the information Draco had just given him. He would have to recall all of the Order members to Hogwarts. He reached for parchment, quill, and ink. He needed to inform Kingsley Shacklebolt of the change of plans immediately so he could gather the Aurors they knew were loyal and prepare them for what was to come.
His next letter was addressed to Molly and Arthur Weasley, who had moved into Order headquarters permanently earlier that year. The Burrow had been attacked at Christmas and the house had been destroyed. Luckily the Order had been fore warned of the attack and had been able to help the Weasley’s get out everything that could not e left behind. Arthur had been the last to leave the day it was attacked and was surprised at who was leading the attack. When he arrived at headquarters he had told everyone there that his own son, Percy, was the one that had destroyed the house when he realized that his family had escaped. It was meant to be an attack against Harry. Percy had thought if his family was killed it would be a major blow to Harry and make him more vulnerable and easier to kill and it had failed. He knew he would be severely punished.
Molly and Arthur would be responsible for letting the rest of the Order members know of the change of plans.
He than wrote a note for Draco with certain instructions for after the battle. He would give it to him the following morning.
Dumbledore got up from his desk and headed for the door to his office. He needed to speak to Severus about having Draco meet him in his office first thing in the morning. As he walked, he pulled a coin out of his pocket, waved his wand over it and muttered an incantation.
This was one of the coins that Hermione Granger had charmed to let DA members know when the next meeting was to be held. He then walked out of his office and headed for the dungeons.
* * * *
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were sitting in the Gryffindor common room studying for the upcoming exams when they felt their pockets grow warm. They looked up at Seamus Finnigan, Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Lavender Brown, and Parvati Patil, who had also felt the coin in their pockets grow warm. They were all studying together for their exams. They all nodded once and left the common room as a group.
The coins had only been given to the 7th year students that were members of the DA. The only time the coin was used was when they had a strategy meeting and it was still held in the Room of Requirement.
* * * *
Outside in the meadow, Harry and Remus were duelling with the swords when Harry felt a coin in his pocket grow excessively warm.
“Remus, stop.” Harry nearly yelped as he pulled the coin out of his pocket. “We need to go back inside. Dumbledore’s called a DA meeting.” Remus nodded, too out of breath to speak, and they headed back toward the castle.
* * * *
Draco was sitting in the Slytherin common room looking over his potions notes and keeping an eye on his friend, Blaise Zabini. He knew that Dumbledore was likely to call a meeting of the 7th year DA members. He was the only Slytherin that knew that Blaise was a part of the DA. Blaise was the only one, other than Snape and Dumbledore, that knew that Draco was a spy. Draco saw Blaise reach into his pocket and pull out a coin. Blaise looked up at him and gave him one small nod before leaving the common room.
* * * *
The Gryffindors were the first to reach the Room of Requirement. They knocked on the door and when they received no response went in to wait. It was the same room they had used back in their 5th year when the DA was first started. There was no trace of Remus Lupin’s quarters, though they all knew that this was where he was staying.
They were soon joined by Padma Patil, Terry Boot, Michael Corner, and Anthony Goldstein, who were all in Ravenclaw. Five minutes later they were joined by Ernie McMillian, Justin Finch-Fletchly, Hannah Abbot, and Susan Bones, who were all in Hufflepuff. Right behind them was Blaise Zabini, the only Slytherin member of the group.
Last to arrive was Harry, Remus, and Professor Dumbledore. When they were all seated, Dumbledore called them to order.
“I am sorry for interrupting your study time, but I have just received some unpleasant news. It appears that Voldemort has learned of our plans to attack him and the Death Eaters and has planned a counter strike. He plans on attacking both Hogsmeade and Hogwarts itself.” Everyone was stunned at this news. Harry was finally the one to ask the question that was on everyone’s mind.
“How did he find out?”
“Fudge.” The simple answer did not cause as much of an uproar as you might think. All of the Gryffindors and most of the other students in the room suspected Fudge of being a Death Eater when well known Death Eaters were let out of prison more than once. Most everyone just nodded their acceptance of the muttered name.
“What do we do now?” Hermione asked, knowing it was the next question everyone wanted answered.
“I have already written letters to members of the Order to bring them here rather than meeting at Order headquarters. We will be prepared to face Voldemort when he comes. Now the reason I have called you all here. I wanted to know how many of you would be wanting to stay here after the school is let out instead of returning to London on the train.” Every hand was immediately raised into the air.
“Just as I had thought.” Dumbledore said with a slight twinkle in his eyes. “We will have Hogsmeade evacuated. Those of you who have younger siblings at school, I ask that you send your personal items home with them. Those of you who do not can make arrangements with friends to have them picked up by your parents at the station. Only those things that you will need during the week between graduation and the attack is what should be kept here.” Dumbledore said, concluding the meeting.
Harry barely heard the last of what Dumbledore had said. He had already arranged for the Weasley’s to take his stuff back to London as he would have been staying at Hogwarts no matter what. As it was, most of his belongings were already at the house in Godric’s Hollow and all that he had with him currently were the bare necessities for school.
Harry was wondering, instead, how Dumbledore had received this information. Was it possible that Malfoy was acting as a spy? Snape had been compromised as a spy nearly a year ago and as far as Harry knew there wasn’t anyone in Voldemort’s inner circle that could have passed on this information.
* * * *
At that particular moment in the dungeons, Draco was wondering how the DA meeting was going. Then his thoughts turned to the event that had changed his life.
Flashback
Draco had known this day was coming ever since he had started going to Hogwarts. There may have even been a time when he looked forward to it but he wasn’t sure. He had been more interested in a dark haired, green-eyed person since the day they met to really care about what this day truly meant.
Sure he had always been rude and cruel to that person, but that was because he had loved to see those green eyes nearly sparkle with fire. He had also loved that it was him who had made that happen.
Draco was pulled from his thoughts when his father entered the library where he was sitting, supposedly reading a book.
“Well Draco. As you know your 17th birthday is tomorrow. Your mother and I have planned a party for you and I have planned a little extra surprise.”
“May I inquire as to what the surprise is?”
“You may, but if I told you then it would no longer be a surprise, now would it?” Lucius answered with a slight chuckle. With that comment Lucius left the library so Draco could wonder what his surprise might be.
However, Draco thought he knew what that surprise was, his initiation into the Death Eaters. He had already spoken to Professor Dumbledore concerning this particular event. He knew that he had no choice when it came to joining the Death Eaters, however, he had talked Dumbledore into allowing him to spy for the light. Severus was growing weary of his life as a spy. He was also coming under more suspicion of being a traitor to the cause. Therefore, Draco was to turn him in upon his initiation into the ranks of the Death Eaters. The three of them had already discussed this.
End Flashback
Draco’s thought’s then turned to the actual initiation itself.
Flashback
Just as Draco had suspected, the surprise his father had prepared for him was joining the Death Eaters. The reason this had been prepared for his 17th birthday was that when a wizard or witch turned 17 they were considered of legal age by the wizarding world. They were then allowed to do any type of magic they wanted and were not monitored as they were under the age of 17.
Most of the guests at Draco’s party were Death Eaters and their children. After those of his guests that were not Death Eaters left, the rest went down to a room in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor. All of them, with the exception of Draco, donned the black robes and masks that the Death Eaters always wore. As Draco wasn’t an official part of the group yet, he wasn’t allowed to wear a mask. That would come after he had been marked.
Draco knew that Severus was there somewhere and could only hope that he was prepared for what was to come. Upon entering the dungeon, Draco noticed that Voldemort was already there. Draco steeled himself for what he figured would be a very long night.
As the Death Eaters took their places in a circle around Voldemort, Lucius made Draco move to stand in the middle of the room, in front of the Dark Lord. Lucius had told Draco some of what would be expected of him as a follower of the Dark Lord, so that when Voldemort turned to face him, Draco immediately went down on his knees and bowed his head in respect of the Dark Lord. He also used this time to build the mental fences around his mind as Dumbledore and Snape had shown him, so that Voldemort would not be able to tell of his deception.
“Tonight we gather to add another member to our ranks.” Voldemort said, addressing the Death Eaters in the circle surrounding them. “Are you ready to pledge your life to me, young Draco?” Voldemort asked turning back to face Draco.
“Yes, my lord.” Draco answered as he had been instructed by Lucius.
“This is a lifetime pledge. You swear to obey only my orders and pledge yourself to no one else.” Draco could feel Voldemort trying to get inside his mind as he said this. Draco was extremely thankful that Dumbledore and Severus had taught him how to block the thoughts that would give himself away as a traitor. Voldemort, finding nothing but loyalty to him, addressed Draco again.
“Rise then young one and receive the mark that will bind you to me.” Draco rose to his feet and pulled his left robe sleeve up to his elbow. The Dark Lord pressed his wand to Draco’s arm. Draco could feel the mark being burned into his skin. Draco made no noise nor did his face betray the pain he felt as the mark was burned into his skin.
“As you are still in school will not be able to attend all of the meetings. I will only summon you for meetings that are absolutely vital. Now do you have anything you wish to say or ask?” Voldemort said as he pulled his wand away from Draco’s arm.
‘Ok, time to show my allegiance.’ Draco thought to himself before addressing the dark lord.
“I only wish to say how thankful I am that I have been allowed to join in your cause my lord. Also I have news of a traitor in our midst.”
“Really, Draco. Who might this traitor be?” Voldemort asked completely unsurprised by this news.
“Severus Snape.” The circling death eaters murmured at this.
“Is this true Severus? Have you betrayed me?” Voldemort asked as Severus took a step out of the circle.
“Yes, you old snake.” Severus said. Before Voldemort could train his wand on him, Severus said one last word and was gone. “Home” It was the word that activated the portkey he held in his hand. He should have been transported directly to Dumbledore’s office at Hogwarts.
End Flashback
Draco was pulled out of his thoughts as Blaise and Snape entered the Slytherin common room. Before Draco could say anything to Blaise, Snape was calling to him.
“Mister Malfoy, may I have a word with you please?” Draco nodded and stood up, following Snape back out of the common room and to his office. “Professor Dumbledore has asked that you meet him in his office first thing in the morning.” Snape said as he took a seat behind his desk.
“Do you know what this is concerning, Professor?” Draco asked, standing in front of the professor’s desk.
“No, I do not Draco.”
“Is there anything else Professor?”
“No you may go.” Draco gave one short nod and headed back to his common room, wondering what Dumbledore could possibly want from him.
* * * * * * *
After the D.A. meeting, Remus had asked Harry if he wanted to go back out and do some more training. Harry had declined, saying he wanted to spend a little time studying for next weeks exams. ‘Plus,’ he thought to himself, ‘there are a few things I want to think about.’
Harry had walked back to Gryffindor tower with Ron, Hermione, and the other Gryffindor 7th year members of the D.A. He took up his usual seat by the fire and immediately got lost in his own thoughts. The others just let him be, figuring he had a lot to think about concerning the meeting they had just had, and in a way they were right.
Harry had considered asking Blaise if Draco was indeed a spy, but thought better of it. Blaise may not even know. Even if he did know, he may not be willing to tell anyone about it.
Harry finally decided there was nothing he could do about the situation, except sit and wait. He tuned his friends back in and began to study with them.