Draco Finds Jesus

Chapter 1

It started with a trip to Hogsmeade. It was a wet and dismal day, and half of the fifth year couldn't even be bothered to brave the rain. Madam Pomfrey's Pepper-Up Potion could always cure colds and flu, but who wanted to get them in the first place, just for a pint of Butterbeer? Lavender and Parvati didn't want to get their hair wet, so stayed in the girl's dormitory with a book from the library, "Magical Make-Up and Incantations for Beautiful Hair." 'Never seen them so interested in a book before,' bitterly commented Hermione. Neville stayed behind to do his Herbology homework, and Dean and Seamus were playing Quidditch World-Cup Top Trumps in the Common room. Hermione was determined to go, however, since she had been told by Professor McGonagall that there had opened in Hogsmeade a 2nd- hand bookshop of rare books.

'A bookshop!' exclaimed Ron. 'Have you read everything in the library already?'

'Of course I haven't read every book in there yet,' replied Hermione, 'There's thousands. But they're mostly schoolbooks, and don't you think it'll be interesting to read books on everyday wizard stuff, like magical needlework or dragon-keeping?'

'Between Mum and Charlie we've got loads of that rubbish,' grumbled Ron, but he went with her anyway. Harry, of course, relished any contact with the wizarding world outside of school.

*

Emerging from the bookshop later, Hermione hidden behind a pile of books and Ron with a 1979 Chudley Cannons Annual (with free stickers!) proudly under his arm, Harry was the first to see the man with the placard.

'Oh no,' breathed Harry, stopping in his tracks. The placard read, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No-one comes to the father but through me (John 14:6)." 'I didn't know you got those nutters in the wizarding world,' Harry continued.

'What?' asked Ron, puzzled. Hermione, having finally shifted her books sufficiently to see, made an irritated sound in the back of her throat.

'Can't we cross the road?' she scowled. 'These people always put me in a bad temper.'

'What are you both talking about?' persisted Ron. But it was too late. The evangelist had spotted them and was shouting bible quotations at them.

'Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had 2 horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. He also forced everyone to receive a mark on his right hand.'

'The death-eater's mark!' exclaimed Ron.

'Oh don't be silly!' retorted Hermione, exasperated. 'The Death-Eater's mark is on the arm, not the hand. And it's from the book of Revelation, he's talking about the Emperor Nero.'

'How do you know so much,' wondered Harry.

'Come on,' said Ron, 'This is Hermione.'

'My parents are Christian,' replied Hermione, ignoring Ron. The evangelist continued, now quoting Matthew.

'Throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' But Hermione preached right back.

'Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another.' The evangelist faltered for a moment, confused. 'Romans 14 verses 12 and 13,' Hermione concluded.

'Jesus said to them, "Watch out that no-one deceives you. Many will come in my name and will deceive many,"' the evangelist shouted, even louder than before.

'Oh forget it,' Hermione muttered, as she walked away, Harry and Ron behind her. And that was the end of that. Or so they thought.

*

Indeed, they heard no more of the evangelist for some time. But we don't have to follow them back to the school do we? We can guess what will happen there. Hermione will start on her books, and Harry and Ron will join in Top Trumps. I have a feeling it might be more interesting in Hogsmeade for a bit.

*

Draco liked the rain. Although he did probably think more of his appearance than he liked to admit, he didn't have to worry, like most people, about what the rain did to his hair. His hair liked the rain. Draco never looked more - well - seductive than when he'd been out in the rain. And it made him feel wild. Sunshine was all very well in its own way, but to feel truly dark you couldn't beat a good thunderstorm. Crabbe and Goyle, as always, had followed their leader down to Hogsmeade. But sometimes Draco liked to be on his own. Especially when he was relishing feeling dark. But he had yet to throw them off.

When Draco reached the evangelist, he was shouting a more cheery message. 'I and the father are one.'

'Hur hur!' snickered Crabbe. 'Motherf*****.' Goyle burst out into guffaws, and even Draco gave a wry smile. That was actually witty for Crabbe, he thought, passing the evangelist by. The next words Draco heard stopped him in his tracks. Draco turned to Crabbe and Goyle.

'Go into the pub,' he said. 'I'll catch you up.' They looked a little disconcerted, but would rather eat Canary Creams than disobey their master. When they had gone, Draco turned back and approached the evangelist.

'So tell me more about this fire and brimstone, then,' he said.