5th year at Hogwarts

***

"Come in," came Dumbledore's voice from inside.

Sirius opened the door, "He had a dream, Albus."

Dumbledore's eyes flashed immediately to Harry who was still cradled in Sirius' arms. "Harry, are you okay?" he asked his voice full of concern.

"Yeah," Harry said meekly. Sirius set him down in one of the chairs.

"Can you tell us about the dream Harry?" Dumbledore asked kindly. Harry told them the dream, and Dumbledore looked very grim when he finished.

***

"Harry, this is a very serious concern to us and we know that we must find Lavender, but it is even more important that you do not go looking for her," Dumbledore said seriously.

"Professor, I love her. I can't let her suffer," Harry said sadly.

"Harry someone I loved has suffered for many years and yet I can't go and save her. You have to be strong," Sirius said softly to Harry.

"Who? Why can't you save her?" Harry asked suddenly.

"She left. She didn't know what she was getting into but she left, and I have to wait for her to return."

"Well then it's not the same!"

"Harry," Dumbledore said, "We will find a way to get Lavender back. But you can not go looking for her."

"I know Professor, it's just I wish - I could."

Ron was beside himself with happiness as he sat at dinner. "So Harry I suppose your not going to the ball?"

"No probably not. Although I might just go alone," Harry replied incredibly subdued.

"What about you, Hermione, who are you going with?" The ball was only three days away, and Hermione still hadn't told Ron who she was going with.

"Oh, Draco and I are going," Hermione said softly.

"What! You and-and Malfoy."

"Ron, I don't recall needing your permission to accept an offer to the ball."

"Yeah but... Malfoy!"

"Yes Malfoy. Because he is actually really nice. You just don't give him a chance!"

"Me give Him a chance? Why doesn't He give Me a bloody chance?"

"I knew you wouldn't understand!" Hermione shouted. "It's my bloody choice." Ron knew better then to argue with her when she got like this so he simply dropped the subject. "You're right. Forget it."

Hermione visibly calmed, "So who are you going with?"

"Me? I'm taking Jennifer Nelson."

"Oh, she seems nice enough. Even if she is a little quiet; she spends almost all her time in the dormitory."

"Oh? Seems to me she spends a fair amount of time in the astronomy tower."

"Ronald Weasley," Hermione said shocked. Harry sat next to her shaking in silent laughter.

"What?" said Ron trying, and failing, to sound innocent.

Narcissa Malfoy backed farther into the corner as Lucius advanced on her with his wand in hand. "No, Lucius, stop!" she cried in vain. Tears were streaking down her face and mixing with the blood from her open head wound.

Lucius raised his fist and punched her hard in the stomach, "Haven't you gotten it yet women? You can't win," he said. Narcissa saw the fireplace and got an idea; she shoved one well aimed foot into his groin and grabbed the bag a Floo powder.

"Phoenix!" she screamed once in the fire. Immediately fireplaces were screaming past her before she fell out onto the floor of Dumbledore's office, the fireplace into it was obscurely named of course, and passed out.

On Halloween night Harry, along with almost everyone above fourth year, skipped the feast as the ball included a small meal and snacks. Harry decided he would go to the ball even though he had no partner. He and Ron were playing wizard's chess waiting for Hermione and Jen to come down so they could go to the ball.

"Jen you look simply gorgeous," Ron said when he spotted Jen coming down from her dorm. She was wearing a periwinkle blue dress robes which matched her eyes perfectly. Her mid-back length golden brown hair was down, instead of in its usual ponytail.

"Thanks, though you don't look bad yourself," Jen commented. Ron had gotten new dress robes from Fred and George; they were dark green and looked almost exactly like his regular school robes.

"Hermione you look nice," Harry said. Hermione was wearing the same dress robes she had the year before, but her hair was down with small clips to hold it out of her face.

"Thanks Harry," she said with a smile. "We should be heading down, I have to meet Draco." Ron scowled when she said it but she met his gaze with a look that plainly said Just try and stop me. They all walked down to the great hall together before Hermione broke off to find Draco. He was standing off in a corner near the dungeons.

"Granger, you look nice," Draco commented when she walked up to him.

"You're not even going to call me Hermione when we're at the ball together?" Hermione asked.

"Nope, not unless it deeply disturbs you."

"No, it's ok. You look nice, too." Draco was wearing black robes almost exactly like his school robes. Hermione might have thought they were his school robes if they hadn't been obviously made out of much more expensive material.

"Thanks."

"The other Slytherins are staring."

"So? Half the school is staring. Besides, they all know that anyone who kills me will be highly praised by Voldemort."

"Oh, I thought you were one of his supporters?"

"I was. Until I found out what I was supporting," Draco commented dryly.

"Then why did you make that comment to Ron in potions?"

"Because it's true!"

"What?" Hermione asked in disbelief.

"It is true. He wants Harry and he's figured out that the best way to get to Harry is to hurt people who are close to him. That definitely includes you and Weasley."

"Oh, um, look they've opened the doors." Hermione was eager to get off the subject. They walked in and found a table with Seamus Finnigan, Parvati Patil, Dean Thomas, Padma Patil, Harry, Ron, and Jen. Ron was obviously mad that Malfoy would be sitting with them but didn't say anything.

The evening wore on Harry had danced once with Parvati, twice with Padma, twice with Hermione, once with Jen, and once with Ginny. Now he was seated alone; everyone else was out on the dance floor. Harry was thinking about leaving when Fred and George, accompanied by their dates Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell, walked over. Angelina and Katie were soon out dancing with other people, leaving Fred and George free to talk with Harry.

"So Harry, sorry we haven't had a chance to chat before this, what do you think about being our silent partner?" Fred said.

"It's cool. All the benefits and none the drawbacks," Harry said.

"Yes, well we want to hear what you think about our products," George said.

"Also we want to be able to sell to Zonko's but, ah, we need you to sign," Fred said.

"No problem, just give me the sheets. And I think that all your products are fine except Black Tooth Gum needs a new name," Harry said trying to remember the package he had gotten almost two months before.

"Yes it has been renamed Pirate Gum," Fred said.

"It was named by the people at Zonko's," George stated.

"Why Pirate Gum?" Harry asked.

"Don't know, but they thought it was good so we didn't argue," George said.

"And here's the paper you need to sign," Fred produced a parchment out of a pocket in his robes and handed it with a quill to Harry. Harry took both and signed where he needed to.

"Thanks, Harry," George said. Just then Angelina got back and pulled Fred off to dance. Harry was watching the dance floor and didn't see Cho Chang walking up to him.

"Lo Harry," she said.

"Lo Cho," Harry said.

"Would you like to dance?"

"Oh alright then," Harry said slightly surprised. They walked onto the dance floor and it became obvious it was much more of an opportunity to talk privately then to dance. But they swayed slightly as they spoke.

"You know with Cedric?" Cho started, Harry shivered, and then, "You know it wasn't your fault?"

"Yeah."

"I wish you would tell me about it."

"Okay," and he began telling just like that, and he told her the whole story. It took two songs to tell it and he spoke rather monotonously but when he finished he felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off his chest.

Cho was quiet the entire time, and when he finished she finally said, "Thank you, Harry," and leaned in to kiss him. Then she smiled, a sad sort of smile, and walked away.

Dumbledore jumped up quickly when Narcissa Malfoy fell out of his fireplace. He grabbed a handful of Floo powder, tossed it in to the fire, picked up the small woman before him, stepped into the fire and called out, "Hospital wing." He came out of the fireplace and called out, "Poppy."

"Yes, headmaster?" the nurse said before noticing Narcissa. "Oh my, lay her quickly on the bed here." She pointed to a bed in the corner of the room as she said this. "Who is she?" Poppy asked curiously.

"This is Narcissa Malfoy, Draco's mother."

"Are you going to tell him she is here?"

"Yes, but the ball is going right now, so I will tell him in the morning. Speaking of the ball I must be getting back to it," he walked to the door before turning back and saying, "If Snuffles comes up let him in."

"Yes, headmaster. Have a good time at the ball."

Dumbledore walked down the corridor, and tried to decide where Sirius might be. Ahh, it's the full moon, I forgot. He must be with Remus, and Remus is in his office. So Dumbledore headed down to Remus's office. When he arrived he found the door locked but instead if taking off the charm he rapped loudly and called, "It's me."

Sirius appeared at the doorway and let Albus into the room, quickly closing the door behind him he said, "What's up Albus?"

"Someone just arrived in my office by means of the Floo network and I believe she would like to see you."

"She, is it Her?"

"Yes."

"Is she in your office?"

"No, the hospital wing. She arrived and fell unconscious she is beaten and bruised."

"If I ever get my hands on that bastard Lucius Malfoy I will kill him."

"I believe there is already a line," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"I think I'll stay with Remy a little longer, then go see her."

"Alright, Poppy knows that Snuffles might show up."

"Thanks, Albus." Dumbledore just smiled and left.

Dumbledore went back to the ball and when it ended at midnight he walked up to the hospital wing to check on their guest. She was still knocked out and Sirius had not yet arrived. Albus left quickly and retired to his quarters for some rest, and in morning he would have to tell Draco about his mother.

The next day Dumbledore had skipped breakfast because he had had to talk to Cornelius Fudge. Fudge still claimed that Voldemort hadn't returned, but some of his supporters were regrouping. Dumbledore sighed when Fudge's head disappeared from his fireplace. Then he got up to do some morning business, like telling Draco about his mother.

He walked through the corridors down to the dungeons and into the potions classroom, "Severus, I am sorry to disturb your class, but I need to talk to Mr. Malfoy."

"Of course, headmaster. Leave your things and go, Mr. Malfoy."

"I suggest he take his things."

"Fine." Malfoy looked very confused as he gathered up his things and followed Dumbledore out of the room.

Once they had left the room Dumbledore, made sure they were alone and, turned around, "Your father is abusive." It was a statement not a question.

"Ah," Draco gave up on speaking and simply nodded.

"Mm-hmm. Your mother is here."

"What? Here? Why?"

Dumbledore began walking again, "She used Floo powder to get into my office. She then passed out and is now in the hospital wing."

"What does this have to do with my father being abusive?"

"She was beaten, almost dead. You have two options now you may come and see me in office then go to your mother, or you may see your mother first."

"Mother first," Draco said without hesitation.

"Alright." They walked in silence the rest of the way to the hospital wing. When they went to Narcissa bed, Dumbledore was unsurprised to see Snuffles sitting next to it. Narcissa was up and smiling as she patted his head.

"Mother?" Draco said uncertainly.

"Oh, hello Draco," she said quietly. "Professor Dumbledore." Draco moved up to hug her, although Draco had always been told never to show emotion he felt this was appropriate.

"You're alright," he mused as he buried his head in her stomach.

"Yes. Albus, he was going to kill me; I could see it in his eyes."

"We will talk later, Narcissa. Draco, I expect to wait here till I come back and we will go talk in my office."

"Yes headmaster."

"Good. Snuffles, why don't you come with me?" Snuffles looked a little longingly at Narcissa before following Dumbledore out. Once out Dumbledore said, "Perhaps you should check on Remus?" Snuffles barked once, nodded, and ran off towards Remus's office. Dumbledore watched him and tried to think about who he would need in his office for his meeting with Draco and Narcissa. Finally he decided that Sirius and Snape would be best and walked off to the dungeons to ask Severus if would use his free period, next hour, for a meeting. Thankfully Sirius and Severus had agreed to come to a meeting in his office he had asked them to wait in there while he went to get Draco and Narcissa.

"Mr. Malfoy, Narcissa," Dumbledore called as he entered the hospital wing.

"Yes, Albus," came Narcissa voice.

"I need you both to join me for a meeting in my office."

"Okay."

"Albus," called Poppy's voice, "she is not well enough to leave the hospital wing yet."

"I am afraid I must insist, Poppy."

"Oh alright," she said. But still muttered about how taking sick patients out of the wing was totally unsafe.

Albus led the way into his office and once there invited Narcissa and Draco to the open seats. Draco chose a chair, while Narcissa walked over and sat next to Sirius, who was still in dog form since Draco was there, on the small couch.

"Sirius if you could?" Dumbledore said. There was a slight shimmer and Snuffles was replaced by Sirius. Draco gasped and Narcissa looked at him uncertainly, she had known who he was the whole time, but still didn't know he was innocent.

"It is time to inform two in our number that Sirius is innocent," Dumbledore said.

"I knew it," said Narcissa, who leaned over and kissed Sirius on the cheek.

"You came back?" Sirius said.

She nodded then said to everyone, "He was going to kill me, I can't go back. Protect me."

Sirius held out his hand and reminded her of the vows they had taken when they were eight, before they had gone to Hogwarts, before everything had gone wrong, "Take my hand 'Cia, and I will be then one to the one to help you up when you fall. I will be the one to protect you now and forever. I will always be there to help when you need it." Tentatively Narcissa placed her hand in his and he closed his hand around it. "Welcome back," he whispered. She smiled and he kissed her on the cheek. Draco watched this all completely awestruck.

"Alright," Dumbledore interrupted. "We need to get down to business. Is there anything, anything at all that either of you can tell us that will help?"

"What makes you think I even want to help you?" Draco asked.

"If you wish not to help us then you may leave right now, and you can be taken home next summer and become a Death Eater, you be beaten by your father and be a slave to Voldemort. It is your choice," Dumbledore said.

Draco thought for a moment before saying, "What about him; he's not on your side and he's here." He gestured to Severus as he said this.

"Mr. Malfoy, do not speak of things you know nothing about!" Snape said angrily.

"Mr. Malfoy, this is not about Severus. It is about you," Dumbledore said.

"Fine, I'll stay."

"Good, then we will protect you from your father, Voldemort, and anyone else who may try to kill you. Everything that is said in this room is not to be repeated to anyone. Understand?" Draco nodded. "Good, Severus is a spy for us. Now do you know anything, either of you?"

"Lucius said something, not to me but I over heard it, about a girl from Hogwarts and getting to Harry Potter," Narcissa said. "They were keeping her near Hogwarts so that Harry would come and try to rescue her."

"Voldemort is trying to hurt Potter through people he cares about, Granger and Weasel will be next," Draco said.

"Yes, we know. But please do not share this with Mr. Weasley in potion's class anymore," Snape said softly.

"But how did you-" Draco asked.

"I heard you," Snape cut his off.

"Oh," Draco said sheepishly.

"Severus, would you please accompany me to get Harry, he is in Care of Magical Creatures," Dumbledore asked.

"Alright," Snape said and followed him out.

***

A/N: Please Review. In the next chapter: What is Draco going to say about Narcissa and Sirius? What is Dumbledore going to tell Harry?

Jennifer Nelson is not one of Rowling character. I made her up; we know that there are probably two unidentified fifth year girls in Gryffindor, so I made her up as one of them.

I would once again like to thank my absolutely fantastic betas, Keith and Akriel.

Sorry this chap took so long to get out, about a month.

And I want to thank all the fine people who reviewed: Princess Kattera, PoTtErLoVeR1389, Romantic Drunks and Unregistered.