The Weight of the World

Chapter 15 - Loyalty

Moody returned through the passage and yelled at the two Aurors waiting for him for assistance. He gave them control of the stretcher holding's Snape's body, and told them to take it to Dumbledore's office. He guided the injured Malfoy to the Hospital Wing. When he got there Madam Pomfrey came in and started attending to his injuries. Moody was terribly winded and sat down in the bed beside them to catch his breath.

"What happened to this boy?" Madam Pomfrey asked as she began to undress him and attend to his bleeding cuts.

"Not sure, found him like that. You recognize him?" Moody asked.

"Yes of course. This is Draco Malfoy," she said.

"Lucius Malfoy's son?"

"Yes it is," she said.

"Do what you can, and if he wakes up don't let him leave until Dumbledore sees him," Moody said.

When Moody made his way up to Dumbledore's office, the two Aurors were there talking with Dumbledore.

"Alastor, what has happened?" Dumbledore asked.

"Not sure Albus, when I got there, he was dead, and Lucius Malfoy's son was lying next to him. I took him to the Hospital Wing; the nurse is looking after him." Moody said.

"If I had to guess," Moody continued, "I'd say they found out he was a spy. It looks as though they tortured him before they killed him."

"Moody we must see that the passage way is sealed," Dumbledore said. "We have failed and Severus has paid with his life because of it."

Dumbledore sat down at his desk and was visibly grieving over the loss of Snape. Moody stared at him for a second then looked over at the two Aurors.

"You two go ahead and start sealing that passage way. We don't want them sneaking back through it. When you're done head to Hogsmeade and alert the owners of Honeydukes and tell them that you saw some kids running out of their building. They'll find the mess in the basement and think they were after candy or something. Don't speak to the Ministry about anything you saw here tonight. I'll send word for you shortly."

They nodded to him and quickly left.

"Professor, perhaps we should check on the boy?" Moody said looking at Dumbledore who had taken off his glasses and was rubbing his eyes.

"Yes Alastor. You get some rest, I'll go and see Draco," Dumbledore said.
Harry awoke early in the morning with his scar sharply burning. At first he thought it was just a dream, but the lingering affect of the pain was evident after he woke up. He put on his glasses and went down to the common room. He looked at the foe-glass to see the image in the exact same position it was when he had gone to bed. He walked over to one of the castle windows and looked outside. It was very dark and he couldn't see anything going on outside. After a few minutes he sat down on the couch and kept staring at the foe-glass. He laid his head back against the couch and fell back asleep.
Professor Dumbledore came into the Hospital Wing to find Madam Pomfrey still mending some of the cuts on Draco.

"How is he Poppy?" Dumbledore asked.

"Broken arm, cracked ribs, about five decent sized cuts. He'll survive but he's beat up pretty bad," she said.

"How long do you think he'll be out? I need to ask him what happened as soon as possible."

"I'm really not sure Headmaster, probably tomorrow after he's had some rest he'll be able to talk."

"Alert me when he does wake, and please ask him not to leave,” Dumbledore said.

Dumbledore made his way into the Gryffindor common room to find Harry asleep on the couch. He smiled at the sight of him, the slowly sat down beside him causing Harry to wake up suddenly.

"Relax Harry, it's just me."

"Professor, is everything okay? I woke up earlier with my scar burning."

"I don't doubt it Harry. Something terrible happened tonight. Everything is safe now, but something went horribly wrong."

"What happened sir?"

"Moody found Severus and Draco Malfoy lying in the basement of Honeydukes in Hogsmeade. The assassin was supposed to use a secret passage into the castle to find you. Severus knew about it and he was going to set it up so that we could catch the assassin when the came into the castle. We aren't sure what happened. Draco is up in the hospital wing badly injured."

Harry had to force himself to ask about Snape because he sensed the answer. "And Professor Snape?"

Dumbledore looked at Harry for a second then answered him.

"He is dead Harry. Someone murdered him. We aren't sure what exactly happened. We hope that when Draco wakes up, he'll be able to help us put the pieces together."

"So we can leave the common room tomorrow?"

"Yes Harry."

"Is there anything I need to do sir?"

Dumbledore smiled at him and then stared at the foe-glass for a minute.

"No Harry. I'll see you tomorrow. Get back to bed and get some rest."

"Yes sir."

Harry watched as Dumbledore left the common room. When he walked out, Ron, Meagan, and Hermione all came out and were looking down on him.

"What's going on Harry?" Ron asked.

Harry turned around and saw them all standing up there.

"Something happened tonight. Something really bad. Professor Snape is dead."

They all slowly came down and gathered around where Harry was sitting. Hermione sat down next to Harry.

"Draco was there for some reason. Dumbledore said he was hurt really badly. Moody found them. Draco's in the hospital wing. They don't know anything more than that."

No one said a word for over a minute.

"I feel bad,” Ron said. "All those times I wished that he would have an accident and something bad would happen to him, and now this."

"Ron, it's not your fault. It's Voldemort's fault,” Harry said glancing at the foe-glass. "He is the reason why all of these people are dying or getting hurt." Harry's voice started to tremble, but it also began to get louder. He never took his eyes off of the mirror.

"He is the reason why families are torn apart. He's the reason my parents are dead. I never told you all this, but did you know that Neville's parents were tortured by Death Eaters? They were tortured so badly that they lost their minds. They are in an institution. He goes and visits them and they don't even recognize him." Harry's voice started shaking as he finished that last sentence. Hermione grabbed his hand but he pulled it away quickly. He then stood up and looked from the mirror down to Meagan.

"You shouldn't have come here Meagan. You should have stayed in America. It's not safe here."

As he finished the sentence the mirror exploded and they all quickly put their hands over their heads to protect them from the flying glass.

Harry had started walking up the stairs to his dorm room by the time they all took their hands away from their face.

"Harry!" Hermione called after him but he didn't look back.

She then looked down at Ron and Meagan for a second and pulled a piece of glass from her hair. They were all speechless and none of them wanted to go back to sleep.

Harry had crawled back into bed and was on his side with his back to the door when Ron finally came in. Ron looked him over for a minute and then sat on his bed and stared into the darkness.

"Harry you awake?"

"Yeah Ron."

"You scared us to death down there with that mirror."

"Sorry Ron. I'm just tired of being afraid of him. I'm tired of all of it."

"Harry, is that true what you said about Neville's parents?"

"Yeah."

"Man, I never knew that. No wonder he's so jumpy. Poor guy," Ron said.

"It makes me thankful Harry. I have it all you know, I really do. I spend half my life complaining about being poor, but I really do have it all. I have a great mom and dad, I have great brothers and sisters, and I have the best friends anyone could ask for."

Harry silently agreed with Ron. He did have it all, and Harry was really happy to hear him say that. He was about to tell Ron so when he heard a noise outside of his dorm room window.

It was Hedwig and she was carrying a letter.

Ron turned on the lamp to their dorm room as Harry stroked Hedwig under her wing and then took the letter off of her leg.

"Hey girl! Where have you been? It's been ages; I was beginning to think you didn't like me anymore."

She hooted softly and nipped Harry's finger.

He opened the note and began to read it aloud.

Harry,

Sorry for the delay but I have been busy gathering intelligence. I had to lay low for a while as Padfoot. I knew Dumbledore was going to ask you to stay at the school this summer so it comes as no surprise that you are in fact there. I feel better knowing you are there in fact. It's good that Hedwig found me. I didn't have an owl at the ready so I must ask you to inform Dumbledore that the Death Eaters know about Snape. I am not sure what happened, but he has been discovered. He needs to lay low at the school for a bit until I can find out more. Also, tell Dumbledore that my search for Wormtail has new leads. I will be in France for a week or so. I'll send word as soon as I have news. Tell everyone to be safe. Say hello to Ron and Hermione for me.

Let your owl rest a bit, she has had a long journey.

Sirius

Harry and Ron stared at the letter for a second. Harry stood up and handed it to Ron so that he could read it himself.

"Just a few hours too late Ron."

Harry then shook his head and climbed back into bed. Ron looked at the letter then walked over and laid it down by Harry's bed. He turned the lamp off and crawled back into bed. Hedwig was indeed tired and didn't want to return to the owlrey. She decided to just sleep right where she perched.
Neither one of them got much sleep that night. Harry was up a bit after sunrise. He saw that Ron was awake lying in bed so he told him he was going to give the letter to Dumbledore and that he would meet him for breakfast.

When Harry made his way to Dumbledore's office he found him sitting at his desk, with this head down asleep.

"Professor?"

Dumbledore raised his head slowly and straightened his glasses on his face. He then smiled at Harry and stood up.

"Good morning Harry. I must have dozed off while working last night."

"Sorry to wake you sir but I received this letter from Sirius early this morning. I wanted to bring it to you first thing."

He handed the letter to Dumbledore and watched him read it. Harry could immediately tell when he had reached the part about the warning to Snape, because he closed his eyes tightly and kept them closed for a few seconds before he opened them and continued reading. When he was finished he sat the letter back on his desk and stared at it, then he looked back up to Harry.

"Thank you Harry."

"How's Draco doing?"

"He is resting Harry. I haven't been to see him this morning, but I think I'll stop in after breakfast."

"I'll see you later sir, you need to get some rest, you look like you could use it," Harry said.

Dumbledore looked at him and smiled. He knew he had given Harry the same advice just a week ago.

"Thank you Mr. Potter, I'll try and do so."

Harry made his way back down to the Great Hall. When he got there, Meagan, Hermione and Ron were already there eating.

"Wow, you guys are all up early,” Harry said.

"None of us slept much last night,” Ron said.

Harry began to butter some toast and noticed that Hermione had yet to look at him. He frowned at this and after he took his second bite of toast he looked at them all.

"I'm really sorry about the mirror."

No one said anything.

"And Meagan, I'm really sorry about what I said to you last night. We are all really glad that you are your mom are here."

"Thanks Harry. I know you didn't mean it. Hermione fixed the mirror after you went back to bed, no harm done," Meagan said.

"Thanks Hermione," Harry said.

"You're welcome,” She said softly

They all quietly ate their breakfast and then headed back to the common room and sat down on the chairs and all remained quiet.

"I still can't believe that Snape was killed," Hermione said.

"Any word on Draco," Ron asked Harry.

"No. Dumbledore was going to talk to him this morning,” Harry said.

"You don't think he killed Snape do you Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Draco loved Snape; I don't think he would have ever tried to kill him,” Ron said.

Harry nodded his head in agreement.

Hermione and Meagan went back up to their dorm rooms to try and get some more sleep. Ron and Harry stayed down in the common room before Ron told Harry he was going upstairs to get a shower.

Harry lay back on the couch and thought he might doze off, but then he suddenly sat up. He wanted to go check on Draco.

When Harry got to the Hospital Wing, Dumbledore was walking out and met him at the door.

"How is he doing Professor?" Harry asked.

"He is awake Harry, but very disturbed. He doesn't feel like talking about what happened last night,” Dumbledore said.

"Can I go and see him?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore didn't think it was a good idea, but something told him there was a chance that he might say something to Harry about what had happened.

"Just don't push him Harry. I know you two have had your differences over the years. Please don't provoke him. He is both physically and emotionally injured."

"I won't sir. I promise," Harry said.

When Harry walked in he saw Draco sitting up in his bed. His face was badly bruised and one of his eyes was nearly swollen shut. He didn't recognize Harry until he was right up next to his bed.

"What do you want Potter?"

"To see how you're doing Draco."

"What do you care?"

"I'm not sure that I do Draco, but I wanted to stop by anyway."

"Dumbledore sent you in here to try and get me to talk didn't he?"

"Actually no Draco I really just came up here on my own. You heard about Professor Snape didn't you?"

Draco didn't say anything, but just stared down at the bandage on his arm and scratched at it.

"What happened last night Draco? I woke up with my scar hurting so I know it had something to do with Voldemort."

Draco looked at him for a second. "Your scar hurts when Voldemort does something bad?"

"Not really sure Draco, my scar hurts when Voldemort is planning something, or is murdering people, or when he touches me."

Draco looked at Harry for a second. He seemed to be sizing Harry up then he spoke again.

"They thought Snape was a traitor. They killed him because they thought he was a traitor," Draco said.

"I know that,” Harry said. "We just didn't know it in time to warn him. Just a few more hours and we could have stopped it."

Draco looked at Harry and couldn't believe what he had said.

"What are you talking about Potter? What do you know about Professor Snape?"

"I know he was helping me. He was helping all of us to stop Voldemort. He risked his life for us Draco."

"What in the hell are you talking about Potter. He wasn't working with you or Dumbledore or anyone. He was a Death Eater, and father was wrong about him. You're wrong about him."

"Draco, I'm not wrong. He was working against Voldemort. He had done it before, and then when Wormtail brought him back, he did it again. Don't you understand Draco, Snape wanted to stop him. He does nothing but hurt people. He doesn't give a damn about you, or your father or anyone else. I saw him that night. Did you dad tell you that? I was there when he came back. I saw your dad and the other Death Eaters shaking with fear when he punished them. Your father was on his knees kissing Voldemort's cloak. Wormtail cut off his own hand because he was too afraid to stand up to him. They all are."

"They're just loyal Potter. I don't guess you'd know anything about that would you?"

"Listen to yourself Draco. Look at you. I don't know who did this to you, but I can bet that Voldemort was the reason. What has he ever done for you? Name one thing Voldemort has done for you. You earn people's loyalty Draco, you don't demand it. He didn't give you power or protection or knowledge. Dumbledore has though. You didn't even ask for it, and he gave you all of those things. Just like last night and this morning. He is trying to protect you, and me, and everyone else from Voldemort. You have everything mixed up in your head Draco and it's your dad's fault. Don't talk to me about loyalty. Where was your dad when you were being hurt like that, or was he the one who did that to you? You know what my dad did when Voldemort tried to hurt me? He died trying to stop him. He didn't just sit and let it happen. He died trying to stop him. And if I had to choose between my dad being alive and working for Voldemort and my dad being dead and fighting against him, I'd choose him being dead."

Harry got up and started to walk out of the room but stopped and turned around to say one more thing.

"Loyalty works both ways Draco. It's about fighting to protect people, and having them die to protect you. You'll be safe here Draco. Dumbledore will do everything in his power to see that you are safe. You can help him keep you that way."

Harry walked out of the room and headed back to the common room.

Draco watched him leave, then slowly turned over and began to cry in his pillow. He couldn't believe that Snape was in fact a spy. He couldn't believe that they had killed him. But he thought really hard about what Harry had said about his father. His father had done nothing last night to protect him. Nothing at all.