Rating:
15
House:
Schnoogle
Ships:
Draco Malfoy/Hermione Granger
Characters:
Draco Malfoy Harry Potter Hermione Granger
Genres:
Drama Angst
Era:
Harry and Classmates During Book Seven
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Order of the Phoenix Half-Blood Prince
Stats:
Published: 11/28/2006
Updated: 03/15/2007
Words: 148,035
Chapters: 51
Hits: 126,771

Draco: Phoenix Rising

Cheryl Dyson

Story Summary:
Dumbledore is dead, Snape is a traitor and Draco is a Death Eater, but is he really cut out for a position on Voldemort's team?

Chapter 41 - Grave News

Chapter Summary:
Snape's meeting with Draco.
Posted:
02/13/2007
Hits:
2,332


Chapter Forty One - Grave News

Draco was bored out of his mind by the time Snape arrived. The Muggle girl had been right--Stonehenge or not, they were rocks. They were only interesting for about twelve minutes.

Snape walked out from among the stones and Draco assumed he had boldly Apparated somewhere close by. He was surprised to see Snape in Muggle clothing. Snape wore black trousers similar to Draco's, and a high-necked black shirt with long sleeves. The outfit looked far too warm for the balmy summer day, but Snape was probably immune to discomfort.

Snape's eyes flitted from person to person as he approached Draco, alert for anything. There was no recognition in his eyes when his gaze passed over Neville and Luna. Hermione and Ron were out of sight.

"You're looking well, Draco," Snape said with something that vaguely resembled a smile.

"I'm doing all right," Draco replied. "Better than I was trapped in my room at Malfoy Manor, at any rate." He followed Snape's lead by scanning the area, alert for Death Eaters or other potential danger.

"Your mother asked me to bring you a message."

"How is she?" Draco asked quickly. Snape grimaced.

"As well as can be expected."

"And Father?"

"The same." Snape jerked his head sharply. "There are too many Muggles here. Walk with me."

Snape turned and Draco flicked a glance at Hermione, barely visible now in the shadow of one of the stones. He shrugged and followed Snape. As soon as they were out of sight of onlookers, Snape turned, gripped Draco's shoulder, and Disapparated them.

Draco staggered a bit when they arrived at their new destination. After a moment of disorientation, he realized they were on a pier. He scowled at Snape.

"You could have bloody warned me before taking me through like that," he snapped. Snape shrugged.

"You should know by now you can trust me, Draco. This place is away from prying eyes and Muggles."

A sound made them start and they realized a man was walking down the pier toward them. He carried a fishing pole and tackle box.

"You were saying?" Draco said blandly.

The man approached and Draco saw he was a rather old, somewhat pudgy gentleman in a flannel shirt.

"Hey, lads! Where did ye come from? Thought I 'ad the place all to meself today, I did. You 'ere fer the fishin'?" As he approached, he seemed to notice they carried no gear at all. His brows beetled down. "Now, ye ain't them damn environmental types, are ye?"

When the man was three meters away, Snape pulled out his wand and downed him with a single blast of green light. He looked around carefully to make certain the man had been alone. There were no others signs of life along the barren coast.

"Damnable Mudbloods," Snape growled. "They multiply like rabbits. You cannot go anywhere without running into a nest of them. Too bad Voldemort was lying about exterminating them." He laughed sharply. "Or not lying, exactly. He just plans to exterminate the rest of us, as well. The bloody half-blood freak."

Draco was taken aback. He'd never heard Snape spew such pureblood venom before, and decided it would be a bad idea to mention Snape's own half-blood ancestry. He tried to ignore the fallen Muggle, as Snape did when he walked casually farther down the pier toward the water.

"The Dark Lord is keeping a close eye on your parents, especially in light of the curious disappearances of four Death Eaters, recently. You wouldn't know anything about that, I suppose?"

Snape's black eyes glinted with merriment. Draco was well aware of Snape's ability as a Legilimens, but he didn't get the impression Snape was using it.

"Which four?" Draco asked casually.

"It doesn't matter. I can't stay long. I've left Goyle and Avery in a stupor and I must get back in time to modify their memories. I've come to warn you, although there is a limit to what I am allowed to say. You know he's placed his version of the Fidelius Curse upon us."

"Where are my parents?"

"That, of course, is one of those closely guarded secrets. I can tell you, however, that he plans to attack the Ministry of Magic."

"When? And why is that knowledge not protected by the Charm?"

"Within the next few days. The Dark Lord did not bother to silence us because too many Death Eaters are aware of the plot. What they do not know is that the attack is merely a diversion. The Dark Lord does not care if it succeeds or not."

"A diversion for what?"

The Galleon on his chest suddenly grew hot. Draco wondered if it would be possible to send a message without touching the coin. Then again, he was touching it with his skin...

I'm fine, he sent to Hermione. I'll be right back.

"It's difficult to answer direct questions, Draco," Snape said and Malfoy had to backtrack his thoughts for a moment. The Ministry attack... a diversion. "Instead, perhaps you should ask yourself what the Dark Lord wants."

The words brought back Draco's conversation with his father. Voldemort wanted the Ministry of Magic crushed. And Hogwarts.

"If it helps, the Dark Lord knows where Harry Potter is," Snape said.

The breath caught in Draco's throat for a moment, but he did not let the surprise register on his face. "Everyone knows where Harry Potter is. In London."

"Not anymore. He fled his little hiding place for somewhere that I am not, at the moment, at liberty to mention."

Draco swallowed hard, suddenly knowing where Voldemort was planning to go.

"How will he get in?"

Snape laughed without humor. "I knew you would figure it out. You have always been a sharp lad. You remind me so much of me, when I was your age. Except you have an idealistic streak that I never quite managed. In that way, you are far more like my foolish--" Snape's jaw clamped shut so fast it nearly clicked.

"Like who?"

"Never mind. As you were asking, the Dark Lord will not be walking up to the front gates. Nor will he use a Vanishing Cabinet. Did you happen to use the information I sent with you?"

Draco nodded. "I found the item at the Riddle House. It has been destroyed."

For the first time, Snape stared at him with something akin to astonishment.

"Are you certain?"

"Positive. It was Hufflepuff's Cup."

"How did you destroy it?" Snape's voice was sharp with excitement.

"I'm certain you don't have the time for me to go into that explanation," Draco said mildly. Added to the fact that Draco had no intention of telling him.

Snape sighed. "True. I shall let your parents know that you are well. Your mother asked me to tell you she hopes you will visit your relatives in France. To be safe, of course."

"Of course. You will not mention to her that I have no intention of doing that. I don't suppose you know the whereabouts of any other Horcruxes?"

Snape shook his head. "No. The Dark Lord was certain to have something of Gryffindor's. Probably Ravenclaw's, as well. But Dumbledore and I were never able to locate them." Snape snorted. "I sometimes miss the nagging old bastard. He had his uses."

"Why did you kill him?" Draco asked suddenly. Snape's cheerful demeanor evaporated.

"Another tale we do not have the time for. Suffice it to say, it was necessary. I wish you well, Draco. Know that I will protect your mother with my life."

He started to walk away, but Draco halted him. "Professor Snape?" he asked, although the title was no longer relevant. "Why are you helping us?"

Snape walked to a black bundle that lay at the end of the pier. He rifled through it and pulled out a Death Eater cape. "Someday, it may all come clear, Draco. I have given up or betrayed every single thing I ever held dear. To one purpose. But, your mother was always my favorite..." Snape paused with a pained look. "She was always kind to me, even though she doesn't know--will never know--the truth."

"What truth?" Draco asked shortly, hoping he would not hear a declaration of love for his mother. It was one thing to suspect it, but to hear it aloud...

Snape laughed; a sound that was curiously full of real humor. Draco wasn't sure he'd ever heard genuine amusement in Snape's voice before. The former Potions Master had changed a lot since the incident on the Tower. Snape slung the robes about his shoulders and fastened them at his throat. He grinned at Malfoy.

"Draco, Draco, there are so many lies now it would take days to uncover them, should I choose to disclose all my varied sins."

Snape flung the hood up to cover his lanky hair.

"I wish you success. By the way, should you choose to return to Malfoy Manor, beware the parlour and the basement. Those were the most likely areas for the Ministry to search, so they were laid with several traps before we departed. The rest of the house should be safe, but for prowling Ministry underlings and members of the Order of the Phoenix."

Snape lifted a hand in farewall and Disapparated. Draco looked around and then walked back to the fallen Muggle. He knelt and touched the man's neck. The fisherman was dead. Draco stood up quickly and shuddered in distaste. He was not completely certain he wanted Snape on his side. What had he said? He had given up or betrayed every single thing he had ever cared about. Why would Draco and his family warrant any better treatment? If Draco ever stood in the way of Snape's purpose--whatever that was--he had little doubt he would end up similar to the Muggle stiffening at his feet.

Draco sent himself back to Stonehenge.

Draco appeared at the same spot from which he and Snape had departed. Luckily, the only person to see him Apparate was Hermione, who had obviously been worriedly waiting for him.

She flung herself on him and pressed her cheek against his.

"Thank God! I was afraid it was a trap and we'd never see you again!"

"I'm certain some of you would be more than pleased at that eventuality."

"Only Ron," Hermione admitted. "Where did you go?"

"A deserted pier," Draco said, knowing he would never dare to mention the dead Muggle to Hermione. "He had a message from my Mother. She wants me to flee to France and hide."

"That was it?"

"No. Voldemort is planning an attack on the Ministry of Magic. He knows Harry Potter is at Hogwarts. And he intends to attack there, as well."

Hermione's face drained of all color, making her look like a pale waif under the blonde hair.

"He told you all of that?"

"Not in so many words. He couldn't tell me about Hogwarts, but he gave me enough hints to figure it out. Which means they have to be somewhere close to the school, if a Fidelius Charm prevented him from speaking of it. The forest, perhaps? That would explain why Wormtail and Greyback were meeting there."

"That's terrifying, to think of him so close. How did he know Harry was there?"

Draco frowned.

"I didn't think to ask."

"Are you certain they know he's at Hogwarts? Maybe they think he's at the Headquarters of the Order? Snape would know where that was, even if he couldn't speak of it."

Draco thought about it for a moment. "He did say that Harry was at a place he was not allowed to mention. I simply assumed he meant Hogwarts." Draco shook his head. "But then he said that the Dark Lord would not be entering by the front gate or a Vanishing Cabinet. Why would he say that?"

Ron approached, looking far too somber in black.

"Finally got back from your secret rendezvous, eh?" he snapped at Draco.

"Yes, Weasel. We'd better get back to Hogwarts so that I can set my wicked plans into motion."

"Stop it, you two," Hermione growled. She gestured to Neville and Luna. They waited for a lull in the Muggle tourists before Disapparating. Hermione took Luna through, but the others took themselves back.

Draco felt somewhat vulnerable waiting outside the front gates of Hogwarts, but this time there would be no Wormtail lurking in the bushes beside the road.

"Not much point in sneaking out if we have to beg admittance each time we return," Draco muttered.

"Maybe we won't have to," Hermione said and tapped the locks with her wand. After a moment, they clicked open and the chains drew back. She smiled at him with an air of smug superiority.

"I paid close attention last time Tonks opened them," she said pertly. They quickly filed inside and the locks clicked behind them.

"We should probably tell the Order about Snape's warning," Hermione said.

"Of course. Hopefully they will start searching for the Dark Lord... as long as they can do it without drawing attention."

They paused partway back to restore their appearances to normal. Weasley gratefully scrubbed the powder from his face.

"You should consider leaving that on," Draco suggested.

"Shut it, Malfoy," Ron snarled. Draco whacked him on the head to return his hair to orange-red.

"Ouch! Do you hae to do that so bloody hard?"

"Yes, Weasel, I do. I really do."

Ron scowled and stalked into the building. Luna and Neville looked at Hermione, who sighed.

"Draco and I will go talk to Lupin and Harry. We'll meet later to discuss retrieval of... of the bracelet. We can't let Harry get suspicious. I hate keeping this from him, but I think it's best, under the circumstances."

"I'll go see if there are any books on warding in the library," Luna offered, tossing her head. She had insisted on keeping the pink and purple streaks in her hair, although she had allowed Draco to return the rest of it to normal.

"I'll help you," Neville decided. "I feel pretty useless."

"If you two can find a way to break the wards, you'll be far from useless," Hermione said. Neville nodded and they went inside.

The Great Hall was crowded once more, and in a surprising uproar.

"What did we do now?" Draco asked.

"I don't think it was us, this time," Hermione said worriedly. The others were clustered around Molly Weasley, who was seated in a chair sobbing hysterically. Harry noticed them and hurried over.

"What's happened?" Hermione asked.

"Rufus Scrimgeour was just here. They haven't seen Percy Weasley since yesterday evening. He stayed late at the Ministry to finish something and no one has seen him since. They checked with his Slytherin girlfriend, but she hasn't seen him in two days."

Hermione looked at Draco with a sick expression.

"My God, Voldemort has him."

"Don't even suggest that!" Harry hissed. "Mrs. Weasley is already hysterical, blaming herself for not making more of an effort to reconcile with the pompous git. Besides, we don't know for certain--"

"Actually, I think we do," Hermione whispered. "Snape mentioned to Draco that Voldemort knows your whereabouts, and hinted that you were here--at Hogwarts. Percy knows you're here."

"He knows I'm here, too," Draco said quietly.

Hermione clutched his hand.

"They can't suspect you're working with us. I don't think Percy would volunteer that information."

"Why the hell wouldn't he? He despises me like all the other Weasleys... well, except one, apparently, but that's beside the point. He would hardly spill the news about Potter willingly. They either tortured the information out of him or used Veritaserum. Or a combination of the two, knowing the Dark Lord."

"Well, now we've got even more incentive to find Voldemort. We've got to save Draco's parents and Percy."

"If there's anything left to save," Draco said grimly.

"Don't even think it," she said and squeezed his hand tightly. "Snape would have told you if your parents were in danger, right?"

Draco sighed and nodded.

"I think so, if Mother was in trouble, at any rate. He said he'd die to save her, but I wouldn't exactly trust his word, even about that. If her life stood in the way of his grand purpose, he'd sacrifice her with the rest of us. I have little doubt of that."

"We'll have to hope his purpose coincides with ours, for the time being."

"What are you three whispering about over here?" Lupin asked as he and Tonks approached. Tonks looked at them curiously and tugged at her green hair.

"Wotcher, cousin," she said and grinned at Draco.

"Why do you keep calling me that?" he asked sharply. "Who are you?"

Tonks giggled. "Blimey, you don't remember me? I'm not surprised, really. You were only four when I was banned from your house forever for scaring you and making you cry. Your dad hated my mum, anyway. Narcissa was forced to visit at our house after that. Which she only did about once a year, for mum's birthday."

It came to Draco in a rush.

"Aunt Andromeda's daughter," he gasped. "Tonks" had been a dirty word in the Malfoy household, rarely mentioned after Andromeda had thumbed her nose at the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black and married a Muggle.

"Cracking good memory, coz," Tonks said.

"I don't remember you at all."

She laughed. "You probably blocked it. I wasn't very nice to you after you called me a half-blood scum."

Draco flushed. Lupin looked from him to Tonks.

"I'd forgotten you two were related."

"The Blacks and Malfoys have been trying to forget that, too."

"Sorry," Draco said.

"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're finally coming around." Her gaze flicked to his hand, still clasped in Hermione's, but Draco felt no compunction to let go.

"We have some grave news," Hermione cut in. "Best delivered in private."

They left the gathered Weasleys and went to the nearest private place--Snape's old office.