New Life, True Magic, and Death at the Door

Draco followed Dumbledore through many passages and corridors, up and down flights of stairs, and around corners until they reached a statue of a Phoenix, where Harry, Ron, and Hermione were already waiting for them. Dumbledore turned to Draco, "Are you sure, Mr. Malfoy?" Draco looked at the three for the first time since they had arrived at the castle, and attempted a smile. "Yes. Thank you for coming," he said, "I hope I won't disappoint you." Dumbledore took out his wand and tapped the beak of the phoenix, "Canary Creams." The Phoenix started to twirl, revealing a staircase leading upwards which they started to ascend. Dumbledore turned to Ron, both of them smiling, "I always knew your brothers would make something of themselves," he said, "and anyone else daring enough to trust them!" He and Ron chuckled and Harry and Hermione smiled. Draco had no idea what they were talking about, and waited for someone to include him. Dumbledore turned to him, "you have to be a brave one to try any of the Weasley Twin's candies. It's like eating a Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean knowing that you're going to get some strange flavor," he said, chuckling, "and most likely a curse as well!" Draco smiled, remembering how wild Ron's older brothers had been as they walked into Dumbledore's study.

Draco loved it. Everything inside was something he could see Dumbledore having. There were all types of instruments and books and paintings adorning the walls. Draco could have stayed in these rooms for days, taking everything in, but his attention was called away from the finery surrounding him as the other four made their way to an area of Dumbledore's study containing a number of large chairs. He followed them as they went in and sat down, finding a seat for himself, a large, dark green, leather chair with a high back.

Draco looked at the other four, trying to think of where to start. They were all showing him immense patience, and for that he was grateful. Draco noticed a bit of movement behind Dumbledore and glanced to see the golden owl perched on a tall brass and mahogany stand near one of the bookshelves. "I see you've met Bette," Dumbledore said, and the other three turned to look at the owl that had delivered his letter to their carriage. Bette gave out a "hoot-hoot" in welcome. The five of them smiled back at the beautiful bird, everyone a bit more at ease.

"First of all," Draco started, "I would like to thank you for the kindness you have shown me after all I have done to each of you. I'm so sorry." He paused, drawing in a long breath before continuing. "I suppose I should start at what could be considered the beginning. A week ago, I came in the middle of the night upon Lord Voldemort and his supporters, including my father. They were in one of their Death Rings. I felt curious as to why I hadn't been called along with them. I was supposed to already be considered an initiate. I edged my way to my father's side and found out why." Draco's eyes started to cloud over, but he continued. "My mother was in the center." Only Dumbledore did not seem to be surprised, but the four of them all felt a twinge for Draco. "No one saw me. I don't even know if I was dreaming or awake when I saw what I did, but I know it happened. My father--he . . . he just stood there. He just stood there as Voldemort killed his wife, the mother of his only son. I wanted to kill them all, but someone stopped me. I don't even know who she is. I feel like she's my conscience, but she made me go back from the Death Ring and the next day I left. I left home, and my father just sat there as I walked out. I don't think he even noticed. I took my entire inheritance out of my family's vault, and put it in under a different name. They know it's me, I just don't want anyone else to. And I've spent the entire last week shut away in a room at the Leaky Cauldron. Waiting for my father or Voldemort or one of his supporters to come and kill me. But they didn't. When I was alone, I knew exactly what to do. And now that I'm here, I don't know anymore. I'm a Slytherin. The people I have to live with this year are all on the other side. And when they find out what's happened to me and what I've done, I could be in serious trouble. But I do know that I never want to go back to the life I lived. I will do everything in my power to help bring down Lord Voldemort."

There was complete silence as Dumbledore, Harry, Hermione, and Ron all scrambled in their minds to think of what to say next. Each of them were thinking the same thing, that Draco could be one of their most powerful weapons against the Dark Arts. But there was a counter to this revelation, none of them knew for sure whether he would stand by his current resolve. Yes, his mother was dead, and that was enough to change anyone's mind, but they knew how staunchly he supported Voldemort, and that the Dark Lord could easily bring him back to his side if he was so compelled.

"I--I know," stammered Draco, after none of them spoke, "that you may doubt my intentions. I'm sure you are aware that I've been raised to hate all of you and all of the things you stand for. You may think that I'm just doing this for my mother's sake, but," he swallowed, slow to get started, he was now impossible to stop, "I confess I had thought of turning sides many times before. And the fact that I had started to show hesitation at some of the Dark Plans is the only reason I can think of for Voldemort killing my mother. She's dead because he wanted to punish me or wake me up or something, I don't know. But I do know this, I could never follow someone who would take another life without any other reason than his own advancement. I will stand firm in my decision, and I hope you will help me to bring down every Dark Wizard. Down to the last one." No one spoke, so Draco continued, "That includes Lucius Malfoy."

"Well," Dumbledore said slowly, blue eyes twinkling as he looked at the four students who had broken more school rules than any others in Hogwarts' history, "that settles it. Welcome to the good side, Draco!" With that, Dumbledore walked over to Draco's chair and held out his hand to him. Draco, thinking he was supposed to shake hands, grasped Dumbledore's hand in his, and to his enormous surprise was pulled up into a great big bear hug by the old wizard. Harry and Ron both gave him very enthusiastic handshakes. Any doubts they had formed in their minds were erased as they heard his testimony and looked into his eyes. Hermione gave him another hug, tears in her eyes. Dumbledore watched over all this, a smile lighting up his face. "Well, now that that's all settled," he said to his students, "I would suggest that you four make your way to your rooms. It's getting late and I believe each of you have had a very long day."

The four of them stared at Dumbledore as if he had just told them to jump out the window. "But--Professor Dumbledore," Hermione gasped, "you can't send Mal--Draco back to Slytherin Tower! It's too dangerous!" Dumbledore slapped his hand to his forehead, "Of course! Thank you Hermione, I had almost forgotten. Don't worry, I've already made arrangements with Severus to ensure our Mr. Malfoy's protection. Now, you three," he said, pointing at Harry, Ron, and Hermione in turn, "should go back to your rooms. I need to have a word alone with Draco." Harry, Ron, and Hermione said their goodnights and left. Draco chuckled as he heard Ron's voice retreating, "I can't believe Dumbledore has actually tried the twins' candy! I'll have to send Pig with a letter to them in the morning. Won't they be surprised!"

Draco gave his full attention to Dumbledore as he spoke, "Now, Draco, about your situation. I have a great plan. I already consulted Professor Snape, and he has graciously agreed to let you have a room in his apartments. I tell you now, and don't repeat this, but Severus has always had a bit of a warm spot for you, and he had faith when I did not. There is a condition to you staying with him, however, which he and I have worked out. You've always excelled at Potions, and you will be helping him teach this year, even substituting for him when he needs to be away. Unfortunately," Dumbledore said conspiratorially, "this will not allow you to take all of your classes with your house. I've had to put you in with the Gryffindors, I'm afraid. The only class you will have with the Slytherins will be Potions, in which you will be assisting Professor Snape, is that clear?" Draco beamed up at Dumbledore, how had he ever hated this wise old wizard? "Crystal clear, sir. Any clearer and I'd say it looked like Professor Trelawney's crystal ball!" Dumbledore looked stern. "That's not nice," he said, not able to suppress the laughter any longer, "but it is very funny, I must say!" And with that the old Headmaster and Draco allowed themselves some joking at a certain Seer's expense.

Dumbledore turned serious once more. "Draco," he said softly, "I'm very proud of you for what you are choosing to do. It takes great courage."

Draco couldn't speak for a moment. "Thank you," he said finally in a husky voice. "That means the world to me." Both of them looked at each other for a moment. It was as if neither of them could quite accept what was happening; and the only thing that kept them from pinching themselves as a test of whether or not they were dreaming was the fear that they might offend the other.

"Draco, there's someone I'd like you to meet. Although, well, I think you already know each other, but still, formal introductions are nice . . ."

Draco could have died from shock. Right before his eyes, he saw Dumbledore's golden owl transfiguring itself into--it couldn't be! But it was his beautiful guardian, she was an Animagi.

"This is my great-grandniece," Dumbledore beamed, "my pride and joy!"

"Uncle," she reprimanded lovingly, "sometimes I think you have no manners." She smiled, and then continued, "and then I remember that indeed, you are devoid of any manners at all! Hello, Draco," she said, turning to him and holding out her hand, "I'm Bette Constan. It's nice to finally be speaking to you in-the-flesh." Draco could only stare. "If," she said, showing her puzzlement, "you would care to speak back."

Draco flushed. Before him stood the young woman who had undoubtedly saved his life, and probably his soul. To him, it was like seeing a ghost that no one else could see. He loved everything about her, until he came face to face with her. Here was a young woman of amazing powers, and he felt, rightly, as though her eyes could pierce into his thoughts, his fears, his very being. She could erase him from the universe if she so desired. Tentatively, he reached for her hand and squeezed it in his. When they touched, Draco almost fell over from the impact. Every fear was erased and he felt as if a fire was lit inside of him, but he felt cold again as he let go. Draco looked into her eyes and could have passed eternity there. Everything was forgotten but the two of them, and before he could help it, he was smiling at her. Draco knew that this was the person he cared most for in the entire universe, and he never wanted to be without her again. Bette blushed, and Draco quickly averted his eyes.

"You idiot," he thought to himself, "she can probably read your thoughts. Arggh! Stop thinking!!!" Draco looked around, disoriented for a moment, and then remembered that Dumbledore was standing there, watching the whole thing. Draco floundered about for his life-raft, finally finding a solution to his current predicament. "Well, Professor Dumbledore," he said, "do you think you could tell me how to get to my new room?"

"Of course, Draco," Dumbledore worked hard to suppress his giggles. "Let me just give you this map," he said, opening a desk drawer and taking out a piece of parchment. "Here you are," Dumbledore made his way over to Draco and waved his wand over the parchment. Draco saw a map of the castle with distinct directions to his new room, which looked very similar to the Marauder's Map, though he did not know it. "And the current password is Gillyweed," Dumbledore said with a smile.

After Draco had made his way down the steps and off in the direction of his new room, Dumbledore turned to his great grandniece. "Well, Bette, would you care to tell me what all that was about?"

"Oh, Uncle, honestly!" she said, stifling a smile. "I don't know what you're talking about!" Dumbledore continued to stare at her. "He . . . probably was just," she was blushing now, "surprised to see me . . . in . . . real life." Dumbledore smiled.

* * * * *

Draco lay awake in his new room. It was small, of course; Professor's didn't get that much room to begin with. Draco was extremely grateful for the space, though. It saved him from the Slytherins. And he was perhaps even more grateful for his alibi. They wouldn't suspect him of switching sides. All they had to know was that he was assisting Professor Snape, which required him inhabiting this room and spending most of his class time helping the Professor teach Potions. Which, in turn, required him to have a very unique schedule. Draco smiled as he thought of the way Dumbledore had put it. He would be spending much of his time under the watchful eyes of Snape, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. It was the wizarding world's equivalent of the witness protection program.

He had had a very long day, and an even longer week, but Draco still couldn't sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw his mother's face, and would feel wide-awake again. This continued for hours, and Draco knew he had to get some sleep. He glanced over at his window and out into the moonlit night. Why was it open? He thought he had closed it a while back, but he could never be sure while he was in this state. He decided to leave it that way, the breeze felt nice blowing ever so lightly over his body. Draco felt himself sliding off to sleep, and by now he was too tired to fall into anything but a deep slumber. When he closed his eyes, Draco saw nothing but the backs of his eyelids.

* * * * *

Bette flew into Draco's room just moments after he had drifted off to sleep. She had been unable to keep still ever since their meeting in her Uncle's study; she was far too nervous. The way he looked at her was something she was entirely unaccustomed to. True, she had never been around another witch or wizard her age before. True, she did not know whether all teenagers acted this way around each other. But she did not want to wait any longer to find out. She had felt a pull to him for a long, long time, ever since she had first heard of him.

She had been reading the Daily Prophet one day the spring before and there had been a featured story about him. The journalist was writing (rather bravely, she thought) about wizards known by everyone to be on the side of Voldemort, but not widely discussed. She saw a picture of Draco and his father, Lucius Malfoy. They seemed to be trying to avoid the cameras. Lucius was vehement, and gave her threatening looks from the front page. But Draco had caught her eye standing a bit in front of his father. Bette had a unique gift. She could often read a person's inner thoughts, and see through their soul's window by just looking them in the eyes. But mostly it was just when they were feeling something very strongly, so she didn't really think too much on it. As she looked at the picture, Draco's eyes seemed to say so much. She felt him asking her to help him, that this wasn't really his true self, that he needed a way out and that she could show him. At that moment, she resolved to give herself over as his protectorate.

She watched him closely all summer. It pained her to see the things he was doing to innocent witches and wizards, but she stayed by his side, never coming out from the shadows. She almost gave up on him a number of times, but was always pulled back by those eyes that told more than he would ever speak. And finally her time came. She saw Draco's mother surrounded by Voldemort and a ring of his closest supporters, and watched sadly as Draco discovered the horrific scene. She knew this was his breaking point, and felt the time was right to show herself when he was about to reveal himself to his mother's persecutor's. She forced him to go back to his home, and knew in those few instants that his life had been changed forever. Draco Malfoy was no longer on the side of evil.

Now she stood in the same room with him as he slept fitfully. She delighted in watching how his body would move as he turned this way and that. He was a totally new experience for her and she wanted to take it all in. She didn't know how long she stood there watching him, but she was suddenly shaken out of her reverie as he sat straight up and stared at her in the half-darkness.

Bette smiled at him, Draco seemed to be half asleep. He probably thought she was part of his dream. Sure enough, he managed to whisper groggily, "Am I dreaming?"

Bette smiled again, sitting down on his bed next to him, "No, Draco. At least, you're not if you're awake." And she reached over and pinched his arm. She felt his muscle tense for a slight second, but then he smiled, his eyes glinting in the moonlight. "I guess I'm not dreaming," he said slyly, "but there's only one way to be sure." With that, he reached over and pinched her cheek. It wasn't a hard pinch, like hers had been, but gentle, as if he hadn't known what exactly he was going to do until he had done it. It was almost as if he had caressed her cheek instead. They were both thankful for the darkness as they felt their cheeks burning. There was a tense silence as both of them anticipated what might come next, neither one wanting to be the first to speak.

Finally, Draco broke the silence, "Bette?"

"Yes, Draco?"

"Have we met before? I mean, I know I've seen you. I just don't know if you've seen me. You've been a pretty crucial part of my life lately, and I'm a little curious to know whether or not you were aware of that fact or if it's all just my imagination." Draco looked into his beautiful guardian's eyes in the semi-darkness and knew the truth. He felt as if those deep green eyes could see into his very soul. For a swift instant, he was afraid. If she knew all of the terrible things he had done--but then she smiled and pushed the thought from his head. Draco felt that what she saw now somehow made the past seem irrelevant. He gazed into her eyes, and let his eyes travel to her hair. He reached out and took one of the long blonde strands in between his fingers. It was so soft to his hand as he let it slide down the entire length of the waves that fell almost all the way down her back. Draco hadn't noticed, but Bette was no longer smiling. She had an intense look of concentration on her face as she watched him. He moved now to her left hand that was resting on the bed beside where he was sitting. His right hand moved its fingers ever so slowly and lightly over the backs of her own fingers. Bette felt a chill move up her spine, but she stayed absolutely still, waiting, watching, listening to his breathing grow heavier. Draco's fingers were drifting along her hand, up her arm, slowly, slowly, he reached her shoulder, and he paused for a slight instant, once again meeting her eyes. They instantly flicked from his eyes to his lips and then back again. Before thinking, Draco let his hand continue to slide along her shoulder, up the side of her neck, and then to the back of her head, interlocking his fingers into her soft golden hair. Bette felt him pulling her towards him, and instinctively, she reached up with her left hand where his hand had just been and touched the arm that was holding her, raising her other arm to his neck to pull herself up the rest of the way. They closed their eyes and both felt the jolt as their lips touched lightly. For neither of them was it enough. Draco started to shift his weight, making his way to a kneeling position on the bed. They almost fell over, but he reached around her waist with his other arm and pulled her up in front of him. They never stopped touching. Bette felt herself melting in his arms and would have fallen over had he not been holding her. Draco knew that there was not another person in this world he would rather be holding, and was glad that he had never given in to temptation. Neither of them had ever been kissed, and if they had, nothing could compare to this.