Beyond the Grave

Beyond the Grave

Chapter One

The summer before sixth year was the longest of my life. I was so confused...

Thank Merlin I wasn't forced to stay at the family manor. I would have gone insane, I think. My father was in Azkaban for the first two weeks of vacation, before Voldemort set his followers free, and then he had far more pressing business than that of a husband and father. My mother, too, was gone, fleeing England until a "more prudent date," as she explained in her letters. Thus I stayed with my Aunt Cameo. She was my father's sister, and it was easy to tell. In her looks, and her actions. She left me largely to my own devices.

I suppose I am grateful for that. Her every word was in full support of the Dark Lord, the Risen Night, and it was all I could do to keep from breaking down when I was around her. Leaving me alone with my muddled thoughts, however, was even more torture than the numerous curses I had seen used so often.

I knew that I had changed. It was not the sudden change people made it out to be. My ideals changed, but I was much the same on the surface. I doubt my own mother would have noticed, had she met with me during my period of uncertainty. I was still the calm yet galling persona I had been all my life. Of course, I suppose that made it even more difficult.

I was not, as has been supposed, cut off from the world. I read the Daily Prophet every chance I got. My parents owled me frequently. All things considered, I was well-informed when I made my decision.

After the Second War began, Severus Snape was killed. He had been a Death Eater, and turned traitor. A spy for Dumbledore. His place was now empty--I resolved to fill it.

***

I have said that I was informed of the current situations. So when I stumbled into an almost-empty compartment on the Hogwarts Express, one that was usually quite full, I was prepared for what I would see--Harry Potter and Hermione Granger sitting alone, silent, blank looks on their faces.

"I--Harry, Hermione--I heard about the Weasleys. I'm sorry."

Hermione came to life then. "Sorry? Your father killed them!"

"I know," I said heavily. Did she think that it was my fault? How could she?! I had changed! I was not the Malfoy heir; I was not the future Death Eater. I was...Draco. Me.

"I know, but I didn't! I'm not like that, really, underneath. I want to change. You've got to help me!"

Hermione burst into tears, and Harry gave me a look filled with so much pain I could have done the same.

"Ron was my best friend. His family was more like family to me than mine ever was. Hermione was Ginny's best friend, and do you know what else? She and Ron were in love! From first year on, and they only admitted it this summer! Less than a week later," he broke off, unable to go on.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, but I knew it would be a long and difficult road to being believed.

"Sorry?" Harry near-hissed. I suppose it was the Parseltongue. "You're a Malfoy! You're Dark scum. You aren't sorry. Who do you think you're fooling?"

"No," I croaked, shocked. Somehow I had expected them to accept me without question.... Good, great Harry Potter, to quote my old house elf. And Granger--no, not Granger, or Mudblood. Hermione, if I was truly to change.

"You don't understand, I'm not like the rest of them...I truly am sorry."

"S-s-sorry d-doesn't cut it, Malfoy." I heard a quivering voice and whirled around. Longbottom, of course. I was a little shocked, I have to admit. The last time Longbottom tried to stand up to me was in first year. He ended up in the hospital wing for three days.

"You never met the Weasleys, did you?" he asked, growing more confident at the stunned look on my face. "Well, I did. They were good people, Malfoy. The best people I ever met. And you killed them."

"No, no, I didn't! I'm telling you, I didn't! I swear! I'm on Dumbledore's side now!"

Neville, after looking shiftily around for Crabbe and Goyle, bit his lip and continued with his amazing show of courage. Perhaps the Sorting Hat isn't an addled old scrap, I thought.

"I'm sure you've heard of Glen Lawrence. He came from a Dark family, but persuaded Cornelius Fudge he had turned against the Death Eaters once and for all, in the First War. He gave valuable information to the enemy for months before they caught him. I don't think we'll trust you anytime soon, Malfoy. Even if you weren't the scum of the wizarding world."

I said before, there was no sudden change. My pride was challenged. I struck back without thinking.

"How would you know, Longbottom? You're only a poor excuse for a Squib."

"That settles it, then," said Harry grimly. I noticed he was pointing his wand at me. "You killed my parents, my godfather, and my best friend. Get out, Malfoy, or I will hex you into next millennium. That's a promise."

"I'll be back," I told them, but thought it might be a good idea to withdraw for the time being. Harry Potter was considered a fountain of truth after the recent fiasco over Voldemort's return, and I was in no mood to spend yet another train ride knocked out and covered in tentacles.