Home is where the heart is

Home is Where the Heart Is

Chapter Nineteen - Visitations

It was dark, and absolutely freezing outside the hut. Waves pounded the cliff face below, smashing on the rocks, and the wind howled and shook the walls. This caused the candles to flicker, and Bill Weasley felt a quick stab of irritation.

He'd been stuck in this god-forsaken hut for nearly a month, and it was driving him insane. His only company was Mad-Eye Moody. Oh, joy. The battered old Auror was a nightmare to live with, in such a small living space. Not only did Moody jump at the slightest movement around the cliffs - including grass - and constantly muttered to himself, he also happened to snore loudly.

What possessed me to take this job? Bill thought gloomily, attempting to read the Daily Prophet under the still-flickering light of the candle. I could be home right now, raiding the kitchen. Or better yet, sleeping in a nice, warm bed......instead, I'm stuck in a tiny, freezing hut in the middle of nowhere with a paranoid Auror - brilliant man, but a complete fruitcake.

At this point, Bill glanced over at the older man. Moody was snoring loudly in the corner, his alarming face turned to the wall. Luckily, the racket coming from outside basically drowned out the awful noise. Bill was supposed to be standing watch, but after weeks of staring at an itty bitty clump of rocks, he decided to do something a little more interesting, like catching up on the news of the wizarding world.

Scanning the paper, he frowned. Here was the report of the attack on Hogwarts....only a short paragraph, on page fifteen. It seemed that the whole thing had been hushed up and obviously the media hadn't discovered the real truth about that night. The reporter only mentioned that a break-in had occurred and no one had been hurt. Well, that was a load of bull.

Dumbledore had already sent Bill and Moody an informed letter about it, and Bill was worried. Not even Hogwarts could keep out monsters like that. If the school wasn't safe for the kids, where was? Next time an attack occurred, what would happen? It remained to be seen how much more Hogwarts could endure. After all, it was a very, very old castle, and while the enchantments still held themselves strong, Bill had no doubts that if there was a big enough assault, things would go badly. Dumbledore was still human, after all.

Bill was also concerned about Danielle - he'd heard about her critical injuries....sure, he'd only met the girl - no, she was a woman - for about an hour or so, but it was long enough for Bill to recognise her as a good person to cover your back in a fight. Too bad she wasn't an Auror.

Depressed and feeling quite bored, he looked out the window, through the wild storm, and over at where the fortress of Azkaban was supposed to be. And then Bill gasped, and rubbed his bleary eyes. A swirling red light could be seen through the pouring rain, like a beacon, and to his utter amazement, the wind and waves seemed to be hitting an invisible barrier all around the island of Azkaban.

Blue lightning flashed out to sea, in unregulated patterns. The sky above the fortress was ridden with what looked to be fiery light, turning the storm clouds eerie shades of black, grey and orange-pink. When Bill squinted, he could see black figures moving in the fortress. The Dementors were on the move.

"Moody! Wake up!" Bill yelled, leaping out of his chair and grabbing his wand. Mad-Eye jerked awake in mid-snore and was instantly upright, pulling out his own wand, which had been tucked into his robes.

"What is it, boy?" he growled, scanning the room for trouble.

Bill pointed out of the window at the frightening light display. Moody's mouth opened in surprise, before he quickly shut it and narrowed his normal eye. His other, magical eye was staring hard at Azkaban, focusing on the tiny figures that could be seen, scurrying on the rocks.

"I should have known," he muttered, furious at himself for getting lax. "That's Dark Magic, make no mistake," he said to Bill grimly.

"What should we do?" Bill asked, looking from the scene outside the window, back to Moody. "What exactly is happening?"

"I have no idea," Mad-Eye admitted, staring out the window at the spectacle. "But I do know one thing. Whatever's happening, it's Voldemort's doing. There ain't another person who'd pull something like this."

"Do you think he's over there?"

"Hard to say, lad. He might be, or he could be doing this....Dark Magic through a conductor. Wouldn't put anything past him."

Bill swallowed. "I don't think we can take them all on by ourselves....."

"Course we can't," Moody agreed. "Apparate to Hogsmeade, we need to get to Hogwarts and Dumbledore. Leave the stuff here, it won't be going anywhere."

And with that, Moody Disapparated instantly, leaving Bill to blink and hurriedly follow.

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Two days later........

Sirius crashed through the underbrush in dog-form, tearing through the thick ground plants that blocked his path. Fleeing before him was a large dark figure that was damned fast and agile. He'd been chasing it for at least ten minutes, and was beginning to tire. Obviously his prey was also tiring from the intense running, but neither of them slowed down. It was night time, and thick clouds obstructed the moon. Luckily, the rain hadn't hit yet, but it was still nearly pitch black and difficult to see your own hand in front of your face. Sirius still persuaded onwards.

Just as Sirius was catching up, the animal leapt over a deep crevice that had been cleverly disguised by the thick forest. He barely had time to skid to a stop and prevent himself from hurtling headfirst over the side. Panting, Sirius watched the Dark Unicorn disappear into the darkness and cursed silently. Then, he heaved a mental sigh and resignedly started to go back. It was pointless to continue the chase - he'd never catch the blasted animal now.

When he finally trudged back to the clearing where he'd left Remus, the other man was sitting on a log, wand in hand and scanning the trees. Sirius transformed and walked out of the mysterious-like forest, causing Remus to jump. "Can you warn me, before you do that again?" Remus demanded irritably.

Sirius gave him a tired grin. "I managed to sneak up on you, eh? Go me."

Remus just shook his head, before frowning. "What happened to the Dark Unicorn?"

"Got away and nearly sent me to my death in the process."

He winced, and looked up at the sky. It was beginning to sprinkle raindrops, and it was quite cold. "I think we'd better go back to the pub now, don't you think?" Remus suggested, standing up and pulling his cloak closer to his body. "Before we freeze to death."

Sirius was only too happy to oblige. Together, the two men began to hike back to the little pub on the wayside of the road, only a short distance away. Luckily, the owner was more than happy to have them stay in some spare rooms overnight, for a small price. They had been staying in many such inns over the last three weeks or so - they rarely stayed in one town longer than a day. The reason that Remus and Sirius were constantly on the move was because they had been assigned by Dumbledore to do an intense and vital job. Which involved them going out to the middle of nowhere in the rain and chasing animals.

It had been noted by many magical wildlife observers that Dark Creatures were beginning to appear very frequently in the country - it seemed as if they were all of a sudden migrating to Britain and Ireland. It baffled the experts and alerted Dumbledore immediately - this was no natural phenomenon. Such a large gathering of Dark Creatures could only mean one thing - someone was calling them. And Albus Dumbledore had a strong suspicion that he knew who it was. Voldemort.

So he had sent Sirius and Remus off to track the animals and record their direction of travel, which was tedious and just plain tiring. They'd been following the flow of Dark Creatures for a while now, but with little success. The problem was that it was near impossible to catch one. Oh yes, here and there they had managed to get their hands on the odd Hinkypunk or two, and once they'd caught a Pogrebin, but besides that, they had little luck. And even worse, it was impossible to tell where the animals were heading to, because Remus and Sirius kept on losing them.

Just as the two exhausted and weary wizards arrived at the door of the pub, the heavens opened and let out a torrent of water. Hurriedly they ducked inside and went over to the barman, Jack.

"Can we get two butterbeers?" Sirius asked, taking off his damp and ragged cloak, Remus doing the same.

"Sure, lads. You look dead on your feet. It's on the house," Jack said cheerfully, taking two tankards and filling them with butterbeer. Jack Dougal was a wizard himself, but had settled down as a pub and cheap-motel owner. He had to be in his late forties, with fiery red hair and a beard, streaked with grey. He was an optimistic man, likeable, and had taken one look at the bedraggled travellers and given them rooms for half price. Sirius told Jack that his name was 'Jacob Blackstone', and that they were wildlife experts, travelling the country. Jack had accepted their story without question. It was the same line the two had given at the other towns.

Remus and Sirius slid onto a stool and Jack handed them a butterbeer each. Sirius chugged down the whole thing, before wiping his hand across his mouth and sighing contentedly. "Thanks, Jack. That's warmed me up a bit." Remus nodded in agreement, having finished his own tankard.

Jack observed them from over the counter. "You boys seem to take this wildlife business awfully seriously," he commented. "Must be important, considerin' that you've been out most of the day."

Sirius and Remus exchanged wry glances. "I suppose you could say that," Remus admitted. Then he yawned and glanced at the clock on the shelf behind Jack. "Eleven. I'm off to bed, it's been a long day. What about you, Sirius?"

Content with his position by the fire, Sirius shook his head, sending drops of water everywhere. "I'll just dry off in front of the fire for a bit. You get some rest."

Remus shrugged. "See you in the morning," he yawned, and then with a nod to Jack, headed upstairs.

Sirius turned to see Jack staring at him curiously. "Is there something on my face?" Sirius asked jokingly, secretly not liking the amount of attention that he was getting from this man.

Jack shook his head. "Sorry, mate.....just thinking that you seem familiar....but I remember every customer I've ever had through those doors, and you and your friend haven't been here before. Isn't that strange?"

Sirius froze, before attempting to smile. "Yes, that is a bit odd."

Oh, great, this was just what he needed. A wizard who might recognise his face and try to attack him! The sooner he headed off to bed, the better. Sirius got up off his stool and went to stand near the large fireplace, warming up his hands and feet. Outside, he could hear the wind and sleet hammering on the roof. Winter was nearly here, that was for sure. And there was no way he and Remus would be able to track Dark Creatures in freezing conditions. In fact, perhaps in a week or two they could just owl the old Headmaster and tell him that it wasn't working out.

Jack was washing up and doing some last tidying up around the bar, glasses chinking against each other as he rinsed them and put them away. When he was done, the burly man smothered a yawn of his own. "Well, that's it for me tonight. If you want anything, just help yourself," he told Sirius, before bidding him goodnight and heading off to his own rooms, leaving Sirius alone, downstairs. Jack was a trusting man, and knew that Sirius and Remus weren't the thieving type. It was actually quite flattering to know that a stranger would trust him that much.

Deciding that he'd had quite enough for one day, Sirius turned and was about to go up the stairs, when there was a tapping at one of the windows. He quickly moved over and opened it, letting in a drenched and ragged owl. The poor thing hooted feebly and stuck out its leg, revealing a soggy letter attached. Sirius took it off and let the owl shake its rumpled feathers, before taking off and landing on a hat stand, still shivering.

Muttering a drying spell, Sirius sat down on a chair and turned it over. It was a Hogwarts seal. Sirius quickly ripped it open and instantly saw Dumbledore's familiar, loopy handwriting. He began to read the letter, which wasn't very long, but was enough to make him turn pale.

"Oh, shit," he swore, finishing the letter and putting it down. "I can't leave Danielle for even a month without her doing something like this. I'm going to kill her. Bloody woman!" Sirius didn't even realise that he was talking to himself.

"How the hell did those things get inside in the first place?" Angry and yet very worried, he began to storm upstairs to wake Remus. But when Sirius got up there, he found his friend fast asleep, completely out of it. Remus looked exhausted, and Sirius felt no better. Looks like I'll have to wait until morning to get to Hogwarts, he thought grimly. It's pointless, leaving now.

Still, he felt uneasy and worried. If anything should happen to Harry.....

Sirius thought that he wouldn't be able to sleep, from anxiety, but he was wrong. The moment his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light and snoring heavily.

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Three days later........

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"Please, have a heart, Madam Pomfrey! I swear, if I eat any more chocolate, I'll be sick."

"Nonsense. Chocolate has excellent healing powers, and the more you have, the faster you will get better. Now eat it all."

Madam Pomfrey dumped what had to be a cubic metre of chocolate onto Danielle's hospital bed, causing it to creak under the heavy weight. Danielle scowled at the back of the matron, as the bothersome woman left the room. She'd been stuck in this wing for around a week, and it was driving her over the brink of sanity. Madam Pomfrey had been practically force-feeding her chocolate, and Danielle wouldn't have been surprised if she'd suddenly gotten about ten sizes fatter than she originally was. So much chocolate.......

Luckily, Harry walked in just then. Her salvation. "Harry! My darling Godson!" she cooed from her bed.

Harry stopped in his tracks. "........who are you and what have you done with my real Godmother?" he demanded suspiciously.

Danielle tried to look innocent. "What are you talking about? I'm just, er, delighted to see you!"

Harry observed the strange sight of his Godmother half buried in her bed under a small mountain of chocolate. Danielle heaved the block off her and looked at him pleadingly. "Harry, why don't you.......help yourself? I have more than enough to share....and a growing boy like yourself needs plenty of nourishment.....right?"

He sighed and then grinned. "Sorry, no can do, Professor. Madam Pomfrey warned me before I came in that you would be desperate. You'll have to fight your own battles." Harry laughed at the horrified and disgusted expression on her face. Then, Danielle said a few words that shocked Harry - he hadn't known that girls even knew them. When she was done, Danielle resignedly poked at the chocolate.

"You don't honestly think that I can finish this on my own, do you?" she asked mournfully. As a rule, Danielle had always been a light eater and always felt sick if she ate even half of what her friends usually did.

Her Godson shrugged. "You eat less than I do......so I'm guessing, no. But hey, you know what they say. If you don't succeed at first - try, try again!" This earned him a look that would have frozen a polar bear solid. Chuckling slightly, Harry sat on the chair next to her bed and scrutinised her carefully. Danielle had been awake for about four days, roughly. The experience of dying and coming back to life hadn't taken much toll on her. She just took it in her stride while Harry still marvelled over the fact that he'd been talking to his dead parents in the afterlife. Then again, Danielle was a hard person to shock.

Her appearance was much healthier, and her major wounds had all but healed. However, she bore many deep scars and marks from the attacks - things that she wouldn't allow Madam Pomfrey to fix.

"I want to keep them," she said firmly, even as Madam Pomfrey protested. "I'd like to keep the souvenirs."

"But what about your poor face?"

"I'm still keeping it. It gives my face plenty of character, don't you think?"

And so she had. The light scar across her right cheek stood out, so that anyone who looked her in the face would have his or her eyes drawn towards it. But in a perverse way, Danielle liked it. It was like saying that she'd grabbed death by the shoulders and beaten it into the ground. Plus, she found that it was good for intimidating people. But the only two people it didn't work on was Harry and Madam Pomfrey. Damnit.

Danielle flopped onto her back and stared at the ceiling moodily, and Harry patted her hand sympathetically. "Maybe you'd better eat it later," he said, flicking his wand and levitating the huge block of chocolate onto the side table.....that nearly snapped under the weight.

Danielle rubbed her head. "I've been in here way too long, Harry. I'm healed and everything, why won't that woman just let me leave?" she suddenly exploded, making Harry jump.

"You know why," Harry said consolingly. "You aren't strong enough to walk around yet. Remember, your body is still fighting off the after-effects." After he said this, Harry felt like an adult trying to explain something to an angry child. Here, Danielle snorted sceptically, and sat up again.

"I can walk! Just watch me," she argued.

Before Harry could stop her, Danielle swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. She took one step, but then her traitorous legs wobbled, and she grabbed the nearest thing for support - the bedside table, laden with chocolate. It creaked even more loudly and the legs looked ready to give way any moment.

Harry quickly hurried over to the other side and took her arm gently. "Sit back down, Danielle," he said quietly.

Giving in, Danielle allowed herself to be pushed back down on the bed and 'tucked in' by her Godson. Growling in annoyance, she looked down at her legs. "I was so sure that they'd gotten stronger....." she mumbled. "Seriously, Harry. I want to get out of here. Hell, I can't wait to get back to teaching!" Danielle continued forcefully. "Instead, I'm stuck in here with a mad nurse who is probably plotting to poison me by feeding me lethal amounts of chocolate. And to top it all off, I'm wearing a grannie-nightgown. I don't deserve this!" she finished dramatically. Harry laughed at her comical expression.

"Look on the bright side, Danielle. At least you're alive to complain," he said cheerfully.

Danielle pulled a resigned face. "True. Everyone must think I'm an ungrateful git."

"No........not really. It's only for another week or so."

"A whole week?"

She was about to literally start tearing her hair out, when someone at the door knocked. Danielle grabbed her covers and looked ready to hide under them. "If it's her, say I've gone to sleep!" she hissed at Harry. Danielle snuggled under her blankets and put on her best asleep-and-dead-to-the-world face. The door opened, and Dumbledore stepped in, closely followed by Sirius and Remus, both still wearing their travelling cloaks, and drenched from the rain outside.

"Ah, you're here, Harry," said Dumbledore, smiling at the surprised boy. "I believe you and Danielle have some visitors."

"Sirius? Remus?" Harry asked in confusion. "What....why.....how....?"

"Which should we answer first?" Sirius asked him kindly. "So many questions, so little time....."

Danielle sat up. "You fools!" she exclaimed, shocked at their boldness. "It's bloody-well broad daylight and you're strolling through the castle like that? Do you have a death wish or something? You've got to be the thickest person in existence, Black!" she snapped.

Remus winced. "It seems that being injured hasn't stopped you talking," he commented. "Weren't you asleep?"

She just waved her hand vaguely and glared at them both. "What are you doing here?"

Sirius' grin faded. "And here I was, thinking that maybe she'd be happy to see us," he said irritably, taking off his soaked cloak. "We came to see you and Harry, of course. But now that I'm here, I have to wonder why I bothered hurrying back!" He immediately regretted those words, as Danielle stared at him with rage in her eyes. It was quite a scary sight.

Remus shifted next to him. "Padfoot, perhaps that wasn't the best approach...." he muttered.

But instead of blowing up, Danielle's expression switched to a cool, detached face. "Well, Harry's here, so chat away," she said icily. "Don't let my snappy presence bother you."

There was a short silence, until Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I'll just be off, then," he said brightly. "Please don't allow yourself to be seen, Sirius. It would be rather unfortunate if a student saw you wondering the hallways." And so the headmaster quickly left the room, and its four occupants just looked at each other. Until Harry decided that he'd better end this stalemate and get Sirius out of harms way, or more namely, Danielle.

"Er, Sirius, Hermione and Ron wanted to see you, so why don't you come with me?" he suggested, gripping Sirius by the arm and began to drag him out. "Remus, you and Danielle can catch up a bit," he called over his shoulder. "I'll be back, later." Then, they were gone.

Danielle stared at the door for a moment, before groaning and flopping back onto her pillows. "I hate that man," she said angrily to the ceiling. Remus cautiously sat down on Harry's chair next to her bed and watched her.

"He didn't mean it, you know."

"Oh yes, I'm sure," Danielle retorted, crossing her arms defiantly. But then, she stopped, and looked at Remus apologetically. "I'm sorry.......I'm taking it out on you. I've just been stuck in here for a while and it's driving me nuts."

Remus chuckled at the unhappiness on her face, but then he sobered. "Even though he's tired from travelling, what Sirius said was unfair, and he had no excuse to say it."

Danielle sighed. "Sirius had always brought out the worst in me......only him. In school I would have socked him one if he'd said that to me. I'm not normally like that.........am I?" she added anxiously.

Remus shook his head. "No. You're right - even in school he was the only one to make you completely lose control of your temper. Well, besides James, now and again," he answered honestly.

"Yeah, and he never held back, always baiting me. But enough of that. I suppose I'll just have to apologise to him.....oh goody. There's nothing quite like crawling for forgiveness," she said gloomily.

This caused Remus to laugh. "We all know how you love being chastened, Danni."

She grunted. "Hmph. Anyway. Why are you guys here?"

He glanced at her, before looking away. "Dumbledore sent us word about the attack. It's taken us a while to get here - we left as soon as we heard. Sirius was frantic with worry about Harry and you," For the first time, Remus looked at her squarely in the face and with a jolt, finally saw the scar. "Lord.......is that where....?" he whispered in shock.

She nodded, touching the side of her face gently. "Yes. It isn't as bad as it looks, you know."

Remus frowned in disapproval. "You seem to be treating this very lightly."

She shrugged. "I can either get over it and forget about the pain, or spend all my time brooding and torturing myself. I prefer the former."

Danielle was surprised when Remus pulled her into a tight hug. "Don't ever go and confront a monster without a wand again," he told her. "I don't want to lose another friend."

Danielle looked chastened. "It was stupid, I know," she admitted, looking down at her lap. "But if I waited, Severus would have been sliced up and slitted from nostril to navel. I didn't have time to get my wand. Not to mention that the other teachers would have been dead soon after."

Remus sighed, and then cast around for a new topic of conversation. "Who's teaching your classes for you?" he questioned.

"Dumbledore. Must be interesting, having the headmaster himself for DADA. I heard that not a single student attempted to blow up a dungbomb during class.....not even the Weasley twins," she smiled faintly. "I hope I have that kind of authority when I'm over a hundred."

"Like you don't already," Remus teased.

"Shut up," Danielle said tolerantly. "Did you hear about Azkaban?" she asked, her face suddenly becoming serious.

Remus looked at her quizzically. "No, we've been basically cut off from the news.....what happened?"

"The Dementors. They've joined Voldemort, and escaped Azkaban with the aid of the Death Eaters. We're in a lot of trouble," she said grimly.

"No."

"I'm afraid so."

"When Sirius finds out...." Remus rubbed a hand over his weary face. "He still has nightmares about Azkaban. To know that those creatures are around and about with no one knowing where they are....."

Danielle winced. "Poor bloke," she muttered. "Now I feel guiltier than ever for believing that he was the traitor."

"Likewise."

They sat in silence for a moment. After a while, Remus voiced a question. "Isn't it possible to track them? What about our spies? Severus?"

Even underneath her quilt covers, Danielle shivered. "He doesn't know," she said quietly. "He was summoned on both Friday and Saturday night, and hasn't been called since. And on Saturday night, while Harry and I.....we....."

"Were completely out of it and nearly dead?" Remus finished for her.

"Um....yes. Well, when we both woke up and were fine, Voldemort somehow knew, and summoned the Death Eaters to give them a 'talking to'. From what I heard, he was slightly furious. And he...he....." Here, Danielle was having difficulty in continuing. She remembered the beaten, unrecognisable figure of Draco Malfoy being carried into the hospital wing.

"What? What happened?" Remus asked anxiously, seeing the pained look on her face.

"Voldemort decided to take out his anger on Draco Malfoy, to set an example." Danielle finally sighed.

Remus looked aghast. "Is he..."

"No, no. He's alive. Quite beaten up and he lost a lot of blood......but alive, all the same."

"Thank goodness," Remus said, relieved. "Where is the boy? Draco?"

"Behind that curtain, unconscious," Danielle gestured towards a bed near the window that was hidden from view. "Dumbledore doesn't want anyone to know about Draco. It's to avoid any awkward questions when people come in."

"Ah," said Remus. "And....Lucius?" he asked, after a moment. "Has he come to see him? Hasn't he asked what excuse Draco is making about his injuries?"

"No," Danielle said in disgust. "Didn't even send an owl, apparently. And Narcissa isn't any better, hasn't bothered to come by and find out how he is. It's practically as if he doesn't exist."

"Malfoys," Remus mumbled, shaking his head. "They're a mystery to us."

"Mmm. Say, Remus.....do you like chocolate?"

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Down in the kitchens, Harry frowned at his godfather reprovingly. "You shouldn't have said that to her."

Sirius guiltily swirled around his cup of pumpkin juice. "I didn't mean it," he sighed. "It just.....came out, if you know what I mean. Damn!" he cursed, whacking his head on the table in front of him.

Harry looked at Sirius curiously. "Why do you two always fight?"

"Beats me. Probably because we're so alike that we can't stand each other."

A house elf hurried over, carrying a plate of small cupcakes. "Would sirs like cupcakes?" it asked in a squeaky voice. Harry took one, but Sirius just waved it away.

"I'm not hungry," he said.

Once it had left, Sirius turned back to Harry. "You're right. Me and my stupid mouth. Looks like nothing's changed since school."

"School?"

He winced. "We fought all the time, bickering and swearing at each other like our lives depended on it. It was like an instinct or something. Which was really a pity, considering that both our best friends were head-over-heels for each other......your parents," he ended, with a lop-sided grin. "They tried to make us civil towards each other, but somehow it never worked out."

"I wonder why," Harry said sarcastically. "It sounds like stupid pride to me. And this isn't school anymore......can't you both just start over? You know - for my sake, and all of that?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Look, we've tried. But we always ended up fighting. I know it's probably a pain, having two bickering Godparents, but it's just the way we are. It's only thanks to Lily and James that we didn't kill each other in seventh year."

Harry looked at Sirius. He had bags under his eyes and looked completely worn out. "Maybe you'd better go rest," he suggested. "Otherwise you'll collapse."

"Nah. Got to speak to Dumbledore first."

"Sirius.....how long are you staying?" Harry asked hesitatingly, gazing at his Godfather.

Sirius looked up and thoughtfully looked at Harry. "I don't know. Our.....er.....mission, it didn't work out, and there really isn't anything else we can do for now. So I guess we'll be here for a while."

"Until.....Christmas, maybe?" Harry asked hopefully.

Sirius wagged a finger at him. "My boy, it all remains to be seen. Depends on how well I can hide," He took a long swig of his drink and then yawned. "I've had plenty of practice. And anyway, surely you don't want an old man watching after your every move?"

"You aren't old!" Harry objected. Sirius chuckled, and then tousled Harry's unruly mop of hair.

"Stop flattering me. According to Danielle, emotionally I'm not a day over twelve," Here, he looked pensive. "I'll have to apologise to her, I guess. Although she'll probably try and curse me the minute I walk in."

"You're an adult, I think you can handle it," Harry smiled. "It should be an interesting conversation, anyway."

"Hmmm. Where are those friends of yours? Ron and Hermione?" Sirius asked. "Shouldn't you be with them?"

"They're finishing homework and stuff.....I came up to see Danielle. It's only Thursday afternoon."

Sirius looked aghast. "Thursday afternoon and you're doing homework? James would be shocked. Usually at this point, he and I would celebrate the freedom of the weekend being only a day away."

Harry seemed to pale slightly, as certain memories popped up in his mind. Sirius noticed the change in his Godson and looked at Harry with concern. "Harry? You all right?"

"What? Oh, yeah. It's nothing." Sirius still looked unconvinced, but dropped the subject.

"Well, maybe you'd better head up to the Gryffindor common room. I've got to see Dumbledore and have a talk with Danielle.....but I'll see if I can sneak up and see you. In dog form, of course."

"Right. Good luck with Danielle then," said Harry. He stood up and with a farewell wave, left the kitchens, leaving Sirius on his own, surrounded by eager house elves.

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Severus was busy in his dungeon, brewing another batch of healing potions, when there was a knock at the door. "Enter," he said shortly, busy stirring and measuring ingredients with precise movements. But he wasn't prepared for the person that walked in. "Lupin?"

Remus had a calm expression on his face, as Snape turned to face him. "Severus. How is the potion coming along?"

Snape just glared at him. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for an......extended visit for Dumbledore. I'll be taking DADA until Danielle gets out of hospital. I came down to-" Remus was abruptly cut off by Snape, who had a look of pure disgust on his face.

"Oh, I have a fair idea of why you're here. Wolfsbane potion, am I correct?" Snape snarled, before turning his back on Remus and attending to the bubbling liquid inside his cauldron. "You just expect me to drop everything and brew the potion in a matter of days - and do it without a thought? Give me one good reason why I should bother, Lupin."

Remus stiffened and fixed his hazel eyes on the dark figure of the other man. "For the safety of the students," he said quietly. "You are a fool, if you let your ridiculous pride endanger the children. I came down here to ask politely if you wouldn't mind. I certainly didn't expect you to have it done in a few days - I meant for the next full moon."

Snape whirled around. "You're staying that long?" he demanded. "Professor Rivendale won't be unable to teach for that much time, Lupin."

"True. Dumbledore has decided that I am to take over teaching history, from Professor Binns. He's going away to visit some relatives....deceased ones, I mean, and have a well-deserved rest. Dumbledore feels that the students would......er.....respond better in class, if they had a teacher that was actually alive."

And he suspects that Sirius and I are on the hit list of the Death Eaters.....as I'd bet that you would already know......

Snape snorted his disbelief. "And the school board approves of a werewolf teaching?"

Remus just met his look evenly. "As much as they did before. I left last time through my own decision."

The Potions Master tossed in the last ingredients and narrowed his eyes to slits as he stared at Lupin. "Are you forgetting the certain incident from two years ago?" he asked softly, but his voice was full of malice. "Where you very nearly attacked Potter and his friends on the grounds?"

Lupin flinched. "If I had taken the wolfsbane potion, Severus, it would not have happened."

This caused Snape to laugh mirthlessly. "Indeed. Well, go back to Dumbledore, Lupin. I'm sure he has faith in your abilities. As for myself....."

Carefully, Snape began to pour the potion into bottles. "You'll get the Wolfsbane potion, simply because I don't want to be responsible for the painful and messy death of a student," At this, Snape glanced up sneeringly. "Come by my office on Sunday night, it will be ready."

Reluctantly, Remus nodded and then left, heading back to Dumbledore's office. He had wanted to say something more, but decided that it was best to leave Snape how he was. Aggravating that man was not only dangerous, but also depressing.

************************************************************************************

Sirius slowly opened the door to the hospital wing and looked in cautiously. Danielle was alone in her bed, reading what had to be an extremely thick book on dragons. Her face was mostly hidden by her hair, and he was silent, just watching her turn the pages and eagerly scanning each page. He thought that his presence would go un-noticed, but before he could turn to leave, she spoke.

"Don't leave." It was quiet, but commanding. Sirius mentally steeled himself and walked fully into the room. She looked up and her face was expressionless, neither cold nor furious. She put her book down and marked the page, then placing it aside. Sirius just stood there, at the foot of her bed, and they stared at each other for a few moments. Then -

"We need to talk," they said at the same time. And then laughed nervously. "Sit down," Danielle said, pointing to the chair. "I'm guessing that we both have stuff to get out of the way, so let's get it over and done with."

Sirius sat. "Look, what I said before........" he began, scratching the back of his neck uncomfortably. "It was horrible of me. Really. I don't know what possessed me to say it, and I definitely had no excuse to. I didn't mean to be such a bastard. 'Spose the fact that I got up at five in the morning didn't help, either."

She just looked at him intently. Feeling that he'd may as well go the whole way apologising, Sirius got onto his knees and put on his best puppy-dog, big-eyes and begging expression. "Can you forgive me?"

Danielle tried to keep a straight face, but Sirius just looked so stupid on the floor and begging that she began to giggle. Her. She never giggled. But this time, she couldn't help it.

It's working! Sirius thought in relief. She's not angry anymore!

Danielle muffled the rest of her giggles and finally grinned at him. "Oh, get up. You look completely ridiculous."

Sirius got up off his knees and sat back on the chair. "Thank you. My knees were beginning to hurt."

"I'm not surprised. Where did that little gesture come from? The whole on-your-knees and begging thing?"

He innocently studied the bedcover. "Didn't you know? I can be quite gentlemanly if I want."

Danielle snorted, finding this hard to believe, but refrained from commenting. Remember, the first step to peace is swallowing pride. "I want to apologise too. I was a little cow before......grumpiness and shock, I guess," she said, drawing her knees up to her chin. "You were walking around in broad daylight - I thought that you'd be seen for sure. And the last thing anyone needs now is you being thrown into Azkaban again."

Pulling a face, Sirius relaxed and leaned against the back of the chair. "Don't remind me. And you needn't have worried about being seen - we cast an invisibility charm over ourselves before we entered the grounds. No one saw us."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Behind the curtains that hid his hospital bed, Draco Malfoy was slowing regaining consciousness. He could hear voices, speaking in quiet tones from around the curtain. The world gradually came into focus, and he realised that the strange antiseptic smell and the crisp, white sheets were of the hospital wing.

Bugger. Draco tried to move, but then hissed quietly in pain. His head, right arm, and right foot were heavily bandaged. For a moment he wondered why, but then the memories came flooding back. The main thing he remembered was pain. And screaming. Cringing, Draco quickly shut his eyes tightly again, and tried to erase the all-too-clear images from his mind. But somehow, he couldn't banish the image of two great big red eyes, filled with anger and terrifying rage.

Why am I alive?

He really had no idea. As far was Draco knew, he should have died in that underground chamber.....where ever it was. Yet here he was, lying in the hospital at Hogwarts, still in one piece. Maybe I'm just dreaming, he thought mutely. Or maybe I'm already dead?

The voices were still talking, and he began to take a vague interest in what they were saying.

"- I want to apologise too. I was a little cow before......grumpiness and shock, I guess. You were walking around in broad daylight - I thought that you'd be seen for sure. And the last thing anyone needs now is you being thrown into Azkaban again."

Draco was instantly intrigued. Thrown into Azkaban again? And by the sounds of it.....wasn't that Professor Rivendale's voice? He turned his head slightly to look at the curtain. It was too bad that the cloth wasn't transparent.

"Don't remind me. And you needn't have worried about being seen - we cast an invisibility charm over ourselves before we entered the grounds. No one saw us," a man's voice said.

It must belong to the person from Azkaban, Draco thought, staring hard at the curtain. Funny, it didn't sound like the voice of a madman. Draco attuned himself even more closely to the conversation.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

There was another silence, but this was comfortable. Danielle leaned back against the pillows. "So why did you come and see Harry'n'me?" she asked. "Weren't you too busy chasing Dark Creatures all over Britain?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Well, the 'mission' didn't work out, to be honest. And it's a bloody freezing job. We weren't making much progress, and when I got the letter about you getting hurt and Harry's collapse......we got here as fast as we could. It took a few days though - no Apparating. Dumbledore seems convinced that Voldemort is behind all the appearances of the creatures, and thinks that Voldemort would know if a wizard used magic near his little 'minions.' So no magic."

Danielle vaguely winced in sympathy. "Ouch."

"That's putting it lightly. D'you have any idea how hard it is to travel under your own steam?"

"Hmmmmm," she said, only half her face towards him - she was staring at the wall ahead.

Sirius frowned. "What's the matter?" he asked, trying to keep his voice light.

She turned her face slightly towards him. "Do you want to know what happened last week - from my point of view?" she asked, startling him considerably. "I'm only offering this once."

Sirius warily leaned forward. "Do you even remember?"

Danielle's face contorted into a grimace. "Oh, yes. I remember a lot.......sadly."

He reached out and patted her hand, awkwardly, for support. "Go ahead, if you want," Sirius said quietly. "But you don't have to...."

She shook her head. "No. It's better if I get it out.....I've been avoiding thinking about it."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Draco was listening closely to Professor Rivendale and the unknown man. This was new information to him - he hadn't known about the Dark creatures migrating. And these people knew about them.....and that it was You-Know-Who's doing, to top it off. Really, why was it that no one ever told him about these things?

Last time Draco had heard, Professor Rivendale was lying as if dead in the hospital wing. Obviously, this was no longer so. And nobody knew how she had gotten hurt and how badly, either. It seemed as if he was about to find out.....

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Taking a breath, Danielle recounted what happened since she left her bedroom. "Well, as I headed off to the kitchens, I couldn't help but feel that something wasn't right. It was like something in the air was off. But there wasn't anything I could really do, so I kept going. Got to the kitchens, had a bit of a midnight raid.........ate some chocolate cake. Not exactly the most nutritional food to have at that time, but hey - I had a craving."

Sirius just raised an eyebrow. She defended herself by saying - "Well, you can't claim that you never snuck down to the kitchens at midnight for food!"

"Point taken. Go on......"

"Anyway, when I was finished eating, I headed back to my rooms, but on the way, I was.....distracted.......by the daemons. They were in the entrance hall and completely pounding the teachers. They had some strange psychic powers and had taken their wands. What else could I do? Severus was about to be chopped up where he stood, if I hadn't knocked one daemon off course. And it all sort of happened from there. I got a few good punches and kicks in before they really got me."

Danielle turned and showed Sirius the scar across her right cheek. He withdrew abruptly. "Across the face?" he asked harshly.

Danielle nodded, and pushed down the covers. "And here," she said, rolling up the sleeve of her forearm and showing him a deep scar. "That was were it got slashed. They also broke it." Sirius inhaled in shock. The scar was still pink and raw, but healing.

"Oh, and I got slitted into my right side, too. But I can't show you that 'cause I'm wearing a nightie." She yawned, and then winked at him. Sirius saw right through her light-hearted act.

"Danielle - how in God's name did you survive?"

"Luck, being stubborn, Dumbledore, and Harry. That about sums it up."

"Er. Right," he said uncertainly. "Maybe a bit more detail?"

"Some of it I'm not sure about......I was unconscious for a lot of it...." Danielle admitted, pulling the covers back over her legs and wrapping them around herself. She told him about being beaten up by the daemons, Dumbledore's display of power (told to her by Professor Sinistra) and the time she spent in the afterlife.....until Harry found her.

"I have a message for you, from James," Danielle finally said, looking at him with a glint in her eyes. Sirius saddened visibly, but she still persisted. "He says to stop blaming yourself over his and Lily's death and get on with life. And to stop being such an idiot."

"But-"

"No buts. I saw them and they don't blame you in the slightest. They love you. Like family. And they don't like to see you mooning around. James never would have wanted you to live your life in guilt," she finished, reaching over and shaking his shoulder. He lowered his eyes at the last part.

"I can't help it. It was me that suggested Peter, it was me that was responsible for their betrayal - how could I not be guilty?" he asked her, shaking his head. "I'll always remember that it was my arrogance and self-assurance that got them killed......"

Danielle sighed. "Did you force Peter to be their Secret Keeper?"

"What? Of course not!"

"Did you order him at wandpoint?"

"No......"

"Well then, you aren't to blame. Who could have known that he was a spy? You were doing what you thought would help. That's the important thing. Peter will get what's coming to him one day, and you still have Harry to look after. Please-" Danielle looked at him solemnly. "Just let it rest, for now. You didn't come all this way just to wallow in self-pity."

Sirius winced, but finally nodded. "You're right."

"'Course I'm right. I'm female."

"Yeah, if you say so. Don't you have to eat all that chocolate?" Sirius asked, pointing to the large cube of chocolate that she hadn't even touched.

Danielle groaned and smacked her forehead in exasperation. "Yeah. I don't know how I'll ever manage it, either. Unless....."

Danielle's eyes lit up, and she appraised Sirius with a business-like gaze. "Say, Sirius.....do you like chocolate?"

Which led to Sirius leaving the hospital wing ten minutes later, with about forty kilos of chocolate hidden in his pockets, cloak, down his shirt and even (much to his embarrassment) some chocolate hidden strategically down his pant legs. "This is humiliating," he muttered to himself, as he cast an invisibility charm and awkwardly strolled down the corridors to the secret rooms that he and Remus stayed in during the last visit. "She so owes me for this."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Draco was still in a state of shock as Sirius Black left the wing. Sirius Black.

Sirius Black was in the hospital wing. Twelve feet away!!!

So, to sum it up, Draco was feeling a bit odd. Things made sense now. Why Dumbledore and Potter weren't worried about Black ever coming back to 'finish him off'. Black was innocent. And he and Potter were obviously close. Pettigrew, more commonly known as Wormtail, around the Death Eaters, had been the traitor. And Black had gone to Azkaban, an innocent man, for twelve long years....

For lying on your back like a dead body and not saying a thing, you've learnt a hell of a lot, Draco thought to himself. The only thing that confused him was Professor Rivendale. How was it that she was good friends with Black? He'd never pictured a person like her having anything to do with a convicted murderer.

Sirius Black was standing twelve feet away from my bed. Life is getting weird.

He attempted to sit up again, but only succeeded in achieving more pain. Before he could stop himself, Draco let out a moan. Only since he woke up had he begun to feel feverish and in serious pain.

Danielle's head jerked up from her book that she had started to read again. "Mr Malfoy?"

There was only silence to answer her. Cautiously, Danielle pushed back her blankets and swung her legs over to the side. "Here we go again - round two," she muttered to herself. "Please don't let me fall flat on my face." And then, with considerable effort, Danielle heaved herself up into a standing position, and began to hobble across the small distance to Draco's hospital bed.

She moved stiffly, as her body hadn't moved in four - or was is five? - days. Gritting her teeth, Danielle finally reached the curtain, and peeped behind it. There he was, Draco Malfoy. Lying on his back, grimacing with pain, his eyes wide open. Her heart sank.

"Mr Malfoy? Draco?" Danielle asked uncertainly.

Draco twitched and looked at her through a haze of pain. Teachers look strange in long nightgowns, one part of his still-functioning mind thought amusedly. Actually, it looks very strange. Too bad it's not see-through. That'd be interesting.

Then he felt a fresh wave of pain from his injuries, and groaned. Danielle looked around frantically. Where was Madam Pomfrey when you needed her? And her own wand was back in her rooms. It was terrible, just standing there and watching him sweat feverishly. But then Danielle spotted a basin next to his bed, with water and a washcloth. She could bathe his head, at least?

Carefully, Danielle edged over to his bed and sat lightly on the side. "I know you're probably hurting a lot right now, but just lay still," she told him gently. "I don't have a wand or a potion to help you. Madam Pomfrey should be back any moment." As she talked, Danielle soaked the cloth into the cool water and wrung it out. Then, she began to dab Draco's face, wiping away the sweat. One of the shallow cuts on his forehead had reopened and was bleeding lightly. She rinsed the cloth and wiped that away, too.

Under the cool touch of the damp cloth, Draco stiffened for a moment, before relaxing. Danielle was relieved to see the tense expression on his face lessen. She had never imagined herself to be in a position like this. How odd, she thought, looking down at his flushed face. Right now, he looks like any other normal kid.

Draco opened his eyes and blearily squinted up at Danielle. "Thanks," he said hoarsely.

Danielle smiled awkwardly. "You're welcome." She rinsed out the cloth again and laid it over his forehead. "It's not much, but it's all I can do right now." Then she paused, unsure of what she should say next. Had Draco heard the conversation between herself and Sirius? It was difficult to tell. And if he had, what would she do?

It was silent in the room for a while. Danielle just perched on the edge of the bed and watched Draco as he rested. His eyes were shut and he appeared to have gone back to sleep. Just as Danielle was thinking that she should get back to her own hospital bed before Madam Pomfrey came back in, he opened his eyes and looked directly up at her. "What day is it?"

"It - it's Thursday. You've been here since Saturday night."

He frowned. "How did I get here? I don't remember."

She glanced around, before answering. "Professor Snape brought you back to Hogwarts," Danielle told him softly. "You were in very bad shape....you've slept for five days straight."

Draco paled. "Then.....you....Dumbledore....."

At this point, Danielle fixed him under her calm gaze. "Yes. We know."

Draco felt panic take him over. "Am I going to Azkaban?" he blurted out, before clamping his mouth shut. His worst fears had come true. He'd been caught as a Death Eater. It was all over for him now. But if it was over for him, what about Snape?

But Danielle didn't even twitch. "I don't know. I doubt it. Since Azkaban was broken out of, it would be quite pointless to send anyone there. And I think Dumbledore will want to speak to you about the whole thing. For now, you should rest and try to regain your strength."

Maybe one day I'll learn to follow my own advice, she thought wryly.

He, on the other hand, felt no amusement. "Regain my strength?" he exploded angrily. "How can you expect me to lie here and just wait until someone comes and tells me I'm going to be locked up for the rest of my life?" Draco was livid. He was angry at everything - his father, Voldemort, Dumbledore, Snape, Professor Rivendale - he even hated the stupid sheet that was hiding him from the rest of the school. "Why doesn't Dumbledore just come in here and finish me off - save everyone a whole lot of fuss and bother?"

"Because, Mr Malfoy, it would be a terrible shame if you died."

Dumbledore had entered the hospital in his discreet manner and overheard Draco's yelling. His bright blue eyes surveyed the pair as he stepped around the curtain and stopped at the end of Draco's bed. Danielle jumped guiltily, while Draco - who was taken back by the sudden appearance of the Headmaster - glared and made yet another attempt to sit up. However, he couldn't manage it and fell back with a small whimper.

Concerned, Danielle looked down at Draco and then back up at Albus Dumbledore. "Headmaster, he was in pain, I came over to help him," she said earnestly, standing up. Her knees wobbled a little, but she managed to stay upright and steady. "He's not well, he doesn't know what he's saying-"

"The hell I don't!" Draco yelled. "I'm not in need of being cuddled! I want to know what's going to happen to me!"

There was a long silence. Danielle nervously fiddled with her nightgown, watching Dumbledore for any signs of anger or annoyance. Draco, on the other hand, felt more awake and better than he had at any point before. Right now, he didn't give a rat's arse about the fact that he was basically yelling at a professor and the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Draco felt defiant.

"What will happen to you?" Dumbledore said finally, fixing Draco under an intense stare. "Well, you are the chooser of your own paths, Mr Malfoy. What will happen to you is your choice."

"I mean punishment," Draco said irritably. "I've been caught out. I'm a Death Eater in training. I'm one of The Dark Lord's servants! I'm one of the bad guys - the ones that you throw in prison. You're supposed to be arresting me, not sticking me in a hospital bed and giving me healing droughts."

"Is that what you want?" Dumbledore asked him. "Do you want to be punished?"

"No....."

"Hmmmm." Dumbledore stroked his beard and looked thoughtful. "Mr Malfoy, you will not be going to Azkaban. Nor shall I alert the Ministry officials or the Aurors. You can rest in peace. There will be no punishment."

"What?" Draco's jaw dropped. "But - but-"

"I think that you and I need to have a discussion about your future," Dumbledore said calmly. "Danielle, I know that you are not in the best of condition, but could I please ask you to wait in the other room?"

"Of course, Professor. I'll just-" Danielle moved away and nearly went sprawling as she tripped over the leg of the bed. Dumbledore hastened to her side.

"Perhaps I'd better give you a hand," he said kindly. Embarrassed, Danielle let him help her across the hospital wing and into Madam Pomfrey's office. Danielle carefully let herself sink into a chair.

"What are you going to say to him?" she asked quietly, so that Draco wouldn't overhear them.

"I will tell him what options he has, and the truth," Dumbledore replied, just as softly. "He is still young, and everyone makes mistakes. Although in Mr Malfoy's case, I believe he did not have much of a choice. And I'm afraid that he has suffered for it."

He gave her a grave smile, before leaving the office and shutting the door behind him. In his hospital bed, Draco listened to the door shut firmly. What have I gotten myself into? he thought, resigned. Whatever this Muggle-loving fool has to say to me, it won't be good.

Dumbledore came back around the curtain and gazed down at him briefly, before summoning a chair from the other side of the wing and sitting himself in it, next to Draco. "I believe that you are concerned about your future, Mr Malfoy? I was fortunate to overhear your thoughts on what punishment you expect," he said in a mild voice, peering over his half-moon spectacles.

Draco flushed at the memory of his outburst. "I just want you know what's going to happen," he said sullenly. "Snape brought me back - what's going to happen to him? If you know what I am, you must know what he is."

"Indeed, I do know. And as for Professor Snape.....nothing is going to happen to him."

The blonde boy gaped. "You aren't serious?"

"I have never been more serious. You see, Draco, there are only a few options - paths - that you can choose from at this point." Here, Dumbledore sighed. "You can leave Hogwarts, go back to Malfoy Manor, and continue in learning the Dark Arts and aiding Voldemort. It would be your obvious choice if you were very dedicated to his 'cause'. I would not stop you. For when the time comes for battle, I'm afraid that there can be no holding back. If the forces of light met the forces of evil, it would be the ultimate battle."

There was a pause.

"So you're saying that you would kill me?" Draco asked flatly.

Dumbledore was silent for a moment. "I'm afraid that it might come to that, one day," he said sadly. "Such is the tragic way of conflict and fighting. It would be grievous if we all were faced with such a prospect. I would do anything possible to avoid killing and unnecessary deaths.....but in war, things happen that we do not expect."

Draco swallowed. "What are my other options?" he asked, so quietly that Dumbledore could barely hear him.

The elderly man looked at him, and his eyes seemed to become even more intense. "You could turn away from that path," was Dumbledore's answer. "Leave the Death Eaters, and serve Voldemort no more. Hogwarts would protect you with all the strength it offers."

"But it won't be enough," Draco told him, desperate. "No matter where I go, He'll come after me. And my father.....my mother.......I'd never be able to see them again. I'd be disowned. Cut off from my whole life. I'd have no money, no home, no nothing. I can't do that. It's impossible. And in the end, it'll have been for nothing. The Dark Lord will be very - angry - if I betray him. The other Slytherins would turn against me!"

Draco was shaking now. "I don't stand a chance. If I stay with Him, I'll end up being his little servant boy, a faithful pet dog for Him to order around, to fight for His cause. The odds of me one day being killed or captured are high. And if I don't stay with Him, He'll kill me! Or, at least, if He doesn't - my father will." Draco shivered unconsciously.

It was quiet. As Dumbledore continued at watch Draco, and as Draco avoided his gaze and stared at the covers, the bell rang, signalling to students that their class had finished. It was lunchtime. The silence grew, and Draco listened to the shouts and laughter coming from the classrooms above and below the hospital wing, the sounds of people passing by the hospital door. Neither he nor Dumbledore moved.

"I think," Dumbledore said eventually, "that you need an alternative."

Draco snorted quietly to himself. "No kidding," he mumbled.

Dumbledore ignored this. "I have an offer for you, if you're interested. It would be extremely dangerous, and I cannot guarantee your safety."

Grey eyes considered him carefully. "What kind of offer?"

"To join the light side, in fighting Voldemort. To become a spy for me."

At that moment, there was a shout of laughter, and then the sound of something heavy hitting the ground from above. Dumbledore sighed. "I do hate cooping the students up, rainy day or not," he told Draco. "It seems to encourage overly-high spirits in the younger ones."

There was no answer from the pale boy. A spy? A spy from Dumbledore? He was being offered an opportunity.....to save himself. Or to bury yourself, his common sense hissed. The penalty for spying is the same for treason. You'd be dead before you could blink. Or perhaps He'd torture you instead? Draco was very still. Hadn't he thought about this possibility before? As long as he didn't get discovered, he would be immune.....to the fury of either side.

".....what would it involve?" he inquired lightly, trying to sound indifferent.

"Relaying information directly to myself," Dumbledore said solemnly. "Gathering statistics on Voldemort's forces, the names of his followers, plans, ideas.....anything you can find out. It involves keeping your eyes and ears open, and treading very softly. No doubtedly you already have an idea of what would happen if you slipped up and were discovered......."

Draco's throat was dry. "And if I turned spy for you.....?"

Dumbledore adjusted his spectacles. "You would have some form of safety. Not, I am aware, the best kind, but a position of choice. Nobody would suspect you of anything out of the ordinary.....no one would know of your 'other role'. You would have no reason to be threatened, until the final stages. Then, I'm afraid, you will have to make your choice about whom it is you are loyal to." He caught Draco's eyes and held them.

"It is just as dangerous as being a Death Eater, even more so. But it would mean that if you wanted a change.......if you wanted to start over again, without the name of Malfoy....."

Draco kept Dumbledore's stare for as long as he could, but then broke the stalemate by looking away. He felt tempted - terribly tempted - but he wasn't stupid. "Can I have some time to think about it?"

Slowly, Dumbledore shook his head. "I can´t give you much time," he said, looking sorrowful. "Only until you leave the hospital wing. Which, according to Madam Pomfrey, would be about three days. I wouldn´t normally give to little time, but as you know, the circumstances are not normal."

Damn.

"Well, can I tell you in three days, then?" Draco asked again. "I need to think about it."

Dumbledore nodded. "You will have three days. Choose carefully, Draco. In the end, it is no one else´s choice but your own. Not the Slytherins, not your father´s - yours." He rose from his chair and gave Draco a nod. "I´ll call Danielle back now, shall I? "

Draco watched in silence as Dumbledore went back to Madam Pomfrey´s office and assisted Danielle back to her bed. His mind was spinning with what he´d been told. How could he possibly make up his mind in three days?

At this point, Madam Pomfrey came bustling into the hospital wing just as Danielle pulled the covers over herself "I´m sorry, Headmaster," she said, looking startled at his presence. "I didn´t know you would be here - there was an accident with the first years - someone accidentally set off some salamanders in a fire - there were too many of them, and they started to throw sparks at the students...."

"Ah, no need to worry, Poppy," Dumbledore said lightly. "I was just having a word with Danielle and Mr Malfoy.....please attend to Mr Malfoy, I believe that he is in some pain."

"What? Oh dear. Of course, Professor." Madam Pomfrey came over to Draco and began poking him with her wand. "Where does it hurt, boy?" she asked him.

"I´m fine now," Draco said crossly. "It was just my shoulder." He didn´t mention the burning sensation in his leg and whole right side. Madam Pomfrey tutted and began muttering spells under her breath, sending sparks at his shoulder. While Draco was preoccupied, Dumbledore leaned over to Danielle.

"Look after him," he said, very quietly. "He may want to talk to you.....ask you about Severus. Don´t mention anything about Severus´......other position. We can´t be sure of Draco´s choice as yet."

"I´ll do what I can," Danielle promised. Dumbledore smiled quickly, before departing from the hospital wing as quietly as he had come.

Although I don´t know what it is that I can do, Danielle thought, turning and watching Madam Pomfrey and Draco squabble over his injuries. I´m not sure it´s me that he needs to talk to.

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Inside his private chambers, locked in by every magical spell and barrier he could think of, Aiden carefully poured over the ancient manuscript laid out over his giant, mahogany desk. It was so old that the slightest rip would cause it to fall to pieces - something that Aiden could not allow. Therefore, he was very, very careful. The knowledge found in the ancient texts he´d collected would give him unmatchable power, if used correctly.

Under the shadowy light from the candles, Aiden gently ran his finger over the writings. They were in an ancient language - a strange mixture of Atlantean, ancient Gaelic, and Latin. Luckily, for him, he was well versed and educated in the old tongues.

Interesting,he mused, intensely reading the delicate handwritings. Fascinating. The key to everything is near. Only a few more scrolls to find, and my information shall be complete.

He smiled to himself. Soon, everything would fall into place, and he could begin his work.

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