Elementary Destruction

Chapter Three: Musings and Goings On

Three weeks had simply disappeared, it seemed. Draco had been cooped up in his study, alone for every one of those days. Narcissa had been incredibly concerned for Draco's welfare, and had inquired of what had been happening.

As for Draco, those weeks were spent researching Schizophrenia. Yes, devastating as the thought might be, he stubbornly refused to believe what Granger had said about the voices.

"Master Malfoy!" called the manservant, knocking on his study door, "You've had an Owl!"

Rising slowly from his desk, Draco said, "Please bring it in."

The manservant twisted the handle on the ancient double doors, and walked forth into the vast, dusty room, clutching a cream coloured parchment envelope. He walked across the room, stepping gingerly over a pile of books strewn chaotically about, and handed the letter to Draco.

Reading the address, Draco was surprised to see that it had come from Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Dear Master Malfoy,

It has come to my attention that there are some crucial points we must discuss. Please meet me in my office the moment you receive this letter. The password is 'Sugar Quill.'

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Hogwarts Headmaster

The letter held in his now shaking hands, Draco looked up, his face etched with concern. Professor Dumbledore hadn't contacted Draco since Hogwarts graduation, and now this? It was very strange, at the least.

Eager to hear of such suspicious goings-on, Draco picked up his wand. Flicking it, he cried, "Hogsmeade!"

*~*~*

Wand in hand, Draco prowled through the darkening streets of Hogsmeade, his silver eyes alight with curiosity as he walked. If someone had asked Draco his best feature, he would insist upon his twinkling silver eyes. They were not just the windows to his soul, they were his soul. Deep as the deepest abyss and just as profound, those eyes were his trademark, through which none could see.

Stepping rather jauntily onto the path leading up to Hogwarts, Draco looked up at the darkening sky overhead. A cold, indistinct chill shot through his body as he continued forward. His thoughts meandered about sluggishly, centred on one principal question: what could Dumbledore possibly want with him?

Across the wide, sweeping lawn of Hogwarts he walked, his eyes following a shadowed figure, silhouetted against the sky in all its rosy, dusky glory. He threw open the wide double doors and proceeded up to Dumbledore's office, shooting random glares at those students so brave as to look at him askance.

*~*~*

Professor Dumbledore was now hoary and bent-over with all his old age. Draco chanced a suspicious glance into those dancing blue eyes, sparkling as always. Laughing inwardly, Draco mused about what Dumbledore would be like in thirty years. However, the mood was not one of humour. Albus Dumbledore, for all the gayety shown in his eyes, was a sombre man at the moment.

"So kind of you to join us, Draco," Dumbledore smiled. Draco looked around the room, his curiosity piqued. He hadn't even seen two rather solemn looking figures seated in chairs back in the deceiving shadows.

Nodding his head cordially, as the moment called for, Draco said, "Harry, Hermione," in reference to the two former nemeses of his now seated near him. He walked over, took a chair next to Granger, and sat rather stiffly.

"You all may have guessed why I have brought you here. It is the last, and final rising of the Dark, headed by Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. But there are also other dark wizards rising with them, not entirely alive, not entirely dead.

Your destiny lies in your own hands. Should you choose to accept your position, I commend you. Should you not, I understand. This is a great responsibility; the fate of our world as we know it is on your shoulders.

You will not be alone, however. Your companions will be myself from time to time, and two others that I think you know well, by name of Miss Delacour and Miss Zabini."

As if on cue, Fleur and Blaise, old friends of Draco's, stepped into the office.

"Welcome, ladies," Dumbledore nodded his head casually. After the two had taken chairs, he continued, "You each have your own part to play in this, should you accept. The only way we can drive back the Dark is with the six willow branches, cut from each one of the mythical Elemental Willow trees. It will be your job, Draco, to seek these. As for Miss Zabini, your quest will be to seek out the Avre Borenna. I think you know what to do.

Miss Delacour, I had hoped that, with your connections, you would send word from us to the Veela in Llqd, a messenger of sorts."

Fleur nodded grimly. Blaise looked at Hermione with narrowed eyes. Draco sat immobile, mesmerized at everything.

"Miss Granger," Dumbledore proceeded, glance now shifting to Hermione, "Are you willing to be the Protector?"

Now Hermione nodded in a dignified manner, "Yes, Professor, I believe I know enough, with my career and education in the matters."

"Good. Mr. Potter, I save you for last. You will be our spy, our secret weapon of sorts," a small grin perched itself on Harry's lips. That had not been the first time he was a secret weapon, "I will be checking up on you from time to time, monitoring your progress. Trust none but yourselves, for Voldemort's reach is far these days, and our resistance grows thin. Do you have any immediate questions?"

Timidly, Draco raised his hand like a schoolboy, "Professor, about the voices..."

"All we know about the voices, for I assume you are all hearing them," everyone nodded at this point, "were the work of the Dark, led especially by Lord Voldemort and Salazar Slytherin, who is indeed involved in the rising.

If that is all, you may go, but first, everyone's right hand on Fawkes's right wing; that is, if you choose to accept your mission."

Everyone did so, somewhat awkwardly, and the group broke, each filing silently through Hogwarts, back to their homes.