Rating:
PG-13
House:
Schnoogle
Characters:
Draco Malfoy
Genres:
Drama Romance
Era:
Multiple Eras
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire
Stats:
Published: 05/25/2004
Updated: 05/25/2004
Words: 6,675
Chapters: 2
Hits: 1,143

Discordant Harmony

Iris Marie

Story Summary:
As Draco Malfoy watches as Muggle after Muggle gets tortured and killed in the wake of Voldemort's rise, a feeling he thought he would never feel awakens - remorse. When put on the spot to kill a Muggle to be initiated as a Death Eater, Draco does the last thing he, or anyone else, ever thought he would do - he saves a Muggle. Saved by Aurors, he is whisked to the Weasleys for protection. D/G and slight R/H

Chapter 01

Chapter Summary:
Rudely awakened by Ginny Weasley's scream, Draco is met with a scene he would have never thought (nor wished) possible - a welcoming and friendly gesture from the Dream team and Weasley clan. How does he react? Well, he's Draco Malfoy...
Posted:
05/25/2004
Hits:
383
Author's Note:
The romance isn’t going to enter for a while, as I’ve just realized, since this is more of a Draco-centric fic. Also, Ginny doesn’t know that Sirius can transform into a big black dog or that the big black dog is actually Sirius Black.


Discordant Harmony - Chapter 1

The Burrow. There wasn't much to say about it. It was, after all, just a house that was too small for the many occupants inside. Mrs. Weasley was anxiously making dinner, looking at the clock with the many names and watching as her husband was still at the Leaky Cauldron. Bill and Charlie were both watching their mother watch the clock, noticing that her wand - in stirring - was being dipped into the soup. In the backyard were the twins, testing out their latest invention since their mother was too preoccupied to notice. The youngest boy of the Weasley clan was in his room with his friend, Hermione Granger, both writing a letter to send to Harry. Percy was again locked in his room, again trying to make out the current situation with Crouch and the rise of ldemort. And in the living room, near the fire since she, too, was anxious at her father's absence, sat Ginny Weasley, youngest female Weasley in the large Weasley clan.

"Mother, your wa-" Charlie began to point out that the tip of her wand was already in danger of being added as the dinner's ingredients, but Mrs. Weasley only shushed him.

"But, mum," Bill now tried, "your wand-"

"Why is he still there?" Molly asked, as she seemed to not have heard her sons' remarks. ing back to her cooking, she saw her wand and instantly corrected it. "He's been there for over an hour now. And he's late. You don't think-"

"Mum!" Ginny Weasley's voice carried from the living room. Mrs. Weasley looked up and both Bill and Charlie saw as her wand's tip again dropped into the soup. "Dad's coming home!" Glancing at the clock, Arthur's arrow was pointing towards traveling. In another moment, the flames in the hearth roared green and Arthur Weasley stepped out.

"Arthur!" Molly said relieved, coming towards him and engulfing him in a tight hug. Ever since Dumbledore announced news of Voldemort's rise, she - as well as the rest of the family - had become more so anxious at any loved ones extended absence. Especially Harry's.

Ginny noted as he disentangled himself from her mum's arms that his supposedly reassuring smile was strained. "I have something very important to tell all of you."

The room went silent. Ginny glanced again towards the fire noting that the flames were still green. Were there more people coming? "Where is everybody else?" Molly ushered Bill and Charlie to get them.

"What's wrong?"

His mouth opened as if to say something and then closed. He kept doing that until Bill, Charlie and the rest returned - all with worried faces. "How are you, Hermione?" He asked as he caught sight of brown hair among the sea of red.

Hermione gave a small smile, but her eyes clearly told that she was more interested in his news. Was it something to do with Harry? Had anything happened? Similar questions were running the course through each family member's minds as well. "There was another attack," Arthur began as he ran a hand through his sparse red hair. "Third one so far on Muggles. Happened at the edges of Little Whinging."

"Dad, Harry-"

Ron silenced when his father raised a hand and shook his head. "Harry is fine. He," Arthur's face turned strained, " no, Voldemort," a reflex gasp from the others, "had not tried to go after Harry - yet. Dumbledore figures he is still just testing whether or not his powers are as good as they were before."

"Are they, Dad?" Charlie asked, his lips thin. He remembered Voldemort's reign all too vividly. To have it happen again...

At that question, Arthur gave his first genuine smile that evening. "Thankfully not. Over the years his power has weakened considerably and Severus - Professor Snape -," the twins frowned at his name, "kons it's mainly because of the long absence of serious... use." Now his face turned strained again. "The attack near Little Whinging is so far the biggest yet. A wizard was injured badly in trying to help save a Muggle boy." Ginny glanced towards the fireplace and the green flames. "He needs somewhere to stay to recuperate and to stay - to stay safe." Understanding what he meant, that Voldemort was now on the look out for this wizard, everyone nodded. "The closest place and safest is here. At the Burrow. I have agreed. I ask you whether you agree or not." Nobody moved, but that was only for a second.

"Don't be silly, Arthur," Molly said, coming near him and grabbing his hand. "You didn't have to ask. Of course, the poor dear. Where is he?"

"He'll be coming shortly," Arthur said as he slinked down on a chair and ran his hand once more through his sparse red hair. A few seconds of relaxation and then he stood up again, his nose sniffing the air. "lly, is something burning?"

"Oh no! The dinner!" Brandishing her wand, she pointed towards the kitchen. "Nox." The fire on the stove went out, but it was too late. Half the soup had bubbled its way to the stovetop to form a little swamp on the kitchen floor and the meat that had been frying now resembled a lump of coal. "Guess we'll be having sandwiches tonight." Seeing Ron's stricken look, she added, "We ran out of corned beef last week, dear."

Ginny smiled at the exchange and then resumed her staring towards the green fire. Everyone else was also looking and then her father started to scratch his head. "It couldn't take this-" But he stopped for then a large 'pop' roared and out came forth Dumbledore with a little yellow box in his hands and a large grin on his old, wizened face. "Hello Molly," he said and then acknowledged the rest individually with their names. "I'm sure Arthur has already informed you of the matter?"

"Yes, Headmaster."

"Again, I do not wish to make you both feel pressured into doing this."

"Headmaster, we would be honored to house the poor dear. Is he still injured? Should we call the local nurse?"

"Madame Pomfrey has tended his wounds." He paused as then another 'pop' was heard and a man in patched clothing and a large black dog appeared.

"Professor Lupin!" Hermione said and paused in front of the dog to give him a smile. "Hey Snuffles." The large black dog muzzled her hand and did the same to Ron. "What are you doing-?" She was forced to stop as another 'pop' resounded and Professor Snape appeared.

"Everything sound here, Headmaster?" He asked. He was obviously trying to ignore the dog and Ginny noted that the dog, however oddly, seemed to be trying to do the same.

"Please do a quick patrol around the grounds, Severus," Dumbledore said and then added with another large smirk, "and do bring 'Snuffles' with you." The dog gave a small growl but then walked stiffly out the door with Professor Snape. Both seemed highly reluctant to be near each other.

Finally, the last 'pop' was heard and out came a man who Ginny did not recognize at all. He was tall and wide, but in a muscular way. His hair was cropped short to his head and in his large arms was a grown person wrapped from head to toe in an over-sized cloak.

"Molly, this is Alden Nester from the Floo Regulation Panel in the Ministry." Arthur said introducing the man. He strode forward and gave herm a nod of hello. "Alden, this is my wife and my kids. Well, all the red heads," he amended and Hermione gave him a quick grin.

"Where should I place him, Arthur?"

"Still hasn't come around?"

Alden shook his head. Arthur, scratching his head, looked around. "Where to put him?"

"He can stay in my room," Ron said as he finally got off the steps and stood next to his father. "Bill and Charlie are leaving tomorrow anyways and the twins will have their room back tomorrow."

Arthur looked towards his two elder sons. "Going back so soon? Are you sure?"

"I got word that some of the dragons are getting out of hand. Just like before. I reckon they can sense that he has come back," Charlie said. "If... if Voldemort attacked last night I'm sure they'll be even more so when I get back."

"I bet Gringotts will need extra help as well and more wards need to be put up," Bill said. He then moved to Alden and brought forth his arms. "I can see you're having trouble holding him."

Alden gave forth a large, booming laugh that could have rivaled Hagrid's. Almost. Ginny watched as the bundle in cloaks was shifted into Bill's arms. Some of the cloak parted and she caught sight of mussed up blonde hair poking from the end. "Scrawny, but heavy," Alden said. Walking back to the fireplace, he leaned forward and mumbled a charm Ginny couldn't quite hear. "No one followed. Once I get back to the Office, I'll cut off the connection indefinitely. A Ministry car will be loaned to you until the whole matter is cleared."

"Thank you, Alden."

"No problem."

The front door opened and in stormed Professor Snape with his left hand clutched in his right. His eyes were burning with anger. The dog, in turn, looked smug. 'If dogs could look smug,' Ginny thought. "What happened?" Professor Lupin asked looking alarmingly at the wound on Snape's left hand.

"This... this canine should be trained some more, Remus," Professor Snape gritted out and the dog growled. Professor Lupin came over and put a hand on the dog's head and it calmed. "The grounds are clear. All I found was a bunch of gnomes trying to get into the garden, but other then th everything is fine." He walked over to Bill and pulled out a golden potion with swirls of orange all around. "Once he wakes, he must drink this."

"What is it?" Bill asked curiously, shifting the body's weight and grabbing onto the potion. Percy came over and helped him.

"It's primary purpose is to finish healing up his wounds," Snape said. "My own special mix. The second purpose is to make him incapable of crossing the boundary I have set up around this house. He can go no further then the fence and the nearer he is, the less magical aptitude he has. He must drink all of it - even if you have to force him." With that he sent a look towards Arthur. "He'll be incapable of magic for the first twelve hours, but depending on his level in wizardry it can be as less as an hour. Since he was the second to top in his year, and in my house, I expect him to break that restriction within two hours."

Hermione and Ron exchanged shocked glances. The wizard came from Snape's house? But Snape's house is Slytherin. A Slytherin saved a Muggle!? Dumbledore stepped forward to Arthur and gave him a black wand that was at least 11 inches. Ron, staring at it, felt a pang of recognition. Glancing again towards Hermione with her bewildered and confused face, he realized she must have felt the same recognition go through her. "His wand." A honk was issued from outside and Snape, looking out the window, nodded.

"Fletcher is here with the Ministry cars." Walking out, he returned with a set of keys and gave them to Arthur. "We must be going."

Dumbledore agreed and gave them all one last look and bow. "I'll double the wards," he said and then put the box of lemon drops in Molly's hands. "If anything happens, anything at all, I ask you all to take one lemon drop each."

"Whatever for, Headmaster?"

"You'll find they're all bewitched to send the holder immediately to the Leaky Cauldron. I have put twelve lemon drops in this box."

"Twelve, Headmaster?" Ron asked, his grin widening. "Does that mean Harry can come over?"

Dumbledore gave a nod. "The attack was a bit too near Harry's location. I believe Voldemort is beginning to figure his way around the spell cast around Harry's relatives' house. For if he didn't, he wouldn't be capable of performing any spell in Little Whinging at all." Another honk was heard. "He'll be arriving tomorrow morning with Remus and... and Snuffles," his eyes twinkled, "since you have all asked so much for his stay."

"Thank you, Dumbledore," Arthur said.

"No, thank you," Dumbledore said and then turned around. "Thank all of you." And with that, he walked out with the rest of his entourage.

Bill, his face giving a little grimace, shifted the weight in his arms again. "Oy, Mr. Nester wasn't lying about this boy's weight."

"I told you to start getting those weight lifts from Sir Flannis," Charlie said as he took the bundle from his elder brother. The cloak once again slipped slightly off and everyone saw dusty boots, but expensive ones, poke out. Ron again felt that sinking feeling as if he knew whom those boots belonged to. "It'd build up your puny arms."

"I rather like my puny arms," Bill replied grinning, while rubbing the said puny arms. "Let's hurry and lay him down. He might come around any minute." Walking towards the stairs, Hermione backed against the wall to give them some room and everyone followed Charlie to Ron's room. Entering the blazingly orange room, Charlie stood and glanced about. "Which cot, Dad?"

"Put him on Ron's bed," Molly answered as she plucked a stack of The Adventures of Martin Miggs, the Mad Muggle off and onto a table. Pulling back the coverlets, Charlie laid the boy down with the cloak still wrapped around his body. Molly, shooing Charlie away, then rested herself next to the body and began to unwrap the cloak.

Ron, nearest the doorway, turned so faced Hermione. "Who do you reckon he is?"

"Snape said he was in his house."

"A Slytherin saving a Muggle," Ron snorted as he rolled his eyes. "It's amazing really. To think any Slytherin actually had the heart... the decency to save anyone but themselves."

"I guess not all Slytherins are bad," Hermione whispered, craning her head to look at who the boy was. The cloak was now on the floor, but she could not look over the towering Weasley twins.

Again Ron snorted as he crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe. "And next we'll be calling Draco Malfoy a heroic prick."

A loud gasp and Ginny stumbled her way towards them, her eyes wide and mouth agape. The twins, now parted since she pushed them apart, gave both Ron and Hermione full view of the wizard who saved a Muggle boy. "No way..." Ron whispered out, his face very similar to his sister's.

"... Draco Malfoy."

i.

True to his word, Dumbledore did indeed send Harry the following morning accompanied with Remus Lupin and the great big dog, Snuffles. And after a heartfelt welcome from the Weasleys and Hermione and after a larger heartfelt goodbye to Lupin and the dog, Harry felt content indeed. Until he went up to Ron's room and saw who was lying in Ron's ridiculously orangey bed. That led to a lot of gasping and a lot of "No way"s with an even more shocked silence when Ron explained the situation.

"Percy says he should have woken up by now," Ron explained as he, Hermione and ry sat in the living room. The twins were sent to de-gnome the garden and Arthur, Bill, Charlie, and Percy were sent to the Ministry to do some work for Dumbledore. Molly was in the kitchen getting lunch prepared and Ginny was set to watch over Malfoy until he awoke. As Snape had instructed, Malfoy must swallow the potion immediately upon awakening.

"But Mr. Weasley said that he got hurt pretty bad during the attack," Hermione said as she fiddled with the hem of her cloak. "I still can't believe... By God... I mean, really now," she raised her arms and then frustratingly brought them back down, "Malfoy. Draco Malfoy!"

Ron and Harry nodded their heads in agreement as Harry fingered his scar. There were no more burning pains when Voldemort felt particularly blood-hungry, but the events after the Third Task still scarred his dreams. He remembered during the tribute to Cedric at the ending of school year how Malfoy had whispered something to Goyle with a smile - that sle that made Harry want to go over and punch the living daylights out of him. Then all the taunts of Muggles being low - of Mudbloods being who they were because their blood was tainted by non-magic folk. Now here Malfoy was, injured, because he tried to save the very thing he was known of despising - a Muggle.

He was going to say something, to voice his thoughts aloud to his friends, but a scream was heard from upstairs. It was Ginny's scream.

ii.

One moment he felt close to regaining consciousness, the next he was once again embraced by complete and utter - yet comfortingly warm - darkness. He was unsure how long he floated on that black, warm cloud, but all too soon he felt himself being rudely awakened. A scream was piercing the air, a loud, terrified scream, and it broke through the black haze that hugged him almost immediately. The black was split in half as if an invisible scissor split it and bright white light shone it's way to him. He felt utterly exposed - and aching.

"MUM!!!!!!!!!" He heard the same feminine high-pitched scream and then a background of masculine chuckling. "Wait till I tell mum what you just did!"

That immediately stopped the background chuckling. Draco felt a groan reach his lips - his body felt as if a hundred griffins we stampeding their way across him - but felt as if his lips were again momentarily paralyzed.

"Oh Ginny," one of the masculine voices whined in the background. 'Ginny?' Draco thought, his eyes trying to open, but having to force them shut at the bright light. "We were just joking. Weren't we, Fred?"

'Fred?' Draco thought once more, his mind again trying to reminisce the past events.

A door ('Must be a door...' Draco thought) must have then slammed open because of the large 'whoosh' and 'bang' thaent through the room. "What happened?" That voice. Draco knew that voice. He sneered. "Ginny, are you okay?"

A hesitant pause and Draco knew exactly where he was. Somewhere called 'The Burrow.' Somewhere with the Weasleys. And Potter. Only one missing was the Mudblood. "I'm fine. Just these gits over here playing another prank."

"Thank goodness," another feminine voice said and if Draco had his eyes open he'd have rolled his eyes. Of course the Mudblood wouldn't be missing. Imagine the Dream Team split up even during summer. Impossible!

"Well, if everything is all right then..." That was Potter again. His sneer grew bigger and shocking himself and the rest of the room, what he thought he was thinking ('Potter') was said aloud - with all the malice that went whenever it left his mouth. The room fell silent and he could feel as every eye went towards him.

"Did you hear that?" Ron asked ('Definitely that Weasley,' Draco thought.)

"He just called you, Harry," one of the twins said since he could never really distinguish them apart. "Draco dreams of you. Don't know whether that's flattering or disturbing, but -"

"Sod off, Weasley," Draco muttered yet again as he felt his mouth begin to work. Hell, if he just tried hard enough, he'd be up. But his head still felt slightly fuzzy and trying anything simply hurt. This time a groan left his mouth followed with his eyes readjusting themselves to the bright light. When they finally managed to open, he was met with something that startled him. It wasn't the bright orange walls nor the sparkling potion to his right - not even Potter - but the person who was standing right beside him. She was small and had fire red hair with freckles from head to toe. Her eyes - those eyes are what held him. They were concerned. Such concern were sparkling out of them that he felt momentarily speechless again. That was, of course, until Ron's irritating voice ruined it.

"Malfoy, you prick," his voice sounded much too loud for his sensitive ears, "you're awake." Oddly enough, even in his once more jumbled state, he realized Ron's voice had lost the malice he was so used to. What was odder still was the appraising looks he was receiving from everyone - even from Potter.

"What are you all staring at?" he snapped, fighting valiantly against the covers that would not let him get up. Again he was caught up into those brown spheres of innocent concern and he felt his senses lose themselves. The owner of those eyes seemed to also have hands ('Of course you git,' he thought vehemently) - hands that were now gently and shyly removing the sheets that threatened to suffocate him.

He was about to mutter a numb "Thanks" before he caught himself. Was he about to thank this girl? On closer inspection and as his mind cleared, he thought again, 'Was he about to thank a Weasley!?' So instead of saying "thanks" he stood up from the bed and attempted to stride proudly out. Unfortunately, he hadn't regained himself completely, and when he stood up so abruptly, the world spun and teetered and he was again on the blasted bed with the sheets tightened about him. He was even more annoyed when he saw the person that had stopped him from falling towards the wooden floor.

"Get your hands off me Potter before I curse you into oblivion," he gritted out and was edged on as Harry didn't get off, but instead gave him one of those annoyingly friendly smiles. 'Friendly!?!' Draco thought before he began to struggle.

"Draco, calm down!" Harry said as he got Fred and George to pin down both of his kicking legs.

"Draco?!" Draco cried out. "Not Malfoy now is it? May I ask why, Potter, the change of heart?"

p>

Harry gave him another of those too friendly grins and Draco felt another surge of adrenaline cruise through him and he began to kick much more frantically. What the hell was going on? Again that flash of a little boy with a cardboard hat came into view followed by the same little boy twitching and crying. Then, as if shocked by lightning, he realized why everyone was looking at him like that. As if he was some different person. As if he was someone to thank.

"Get off me, Potter!" Draco now screamed. "You too, Weasleys."

But they were not paying attention to him because all their attention was to his right. As he looked as well, he saw the youngest Weasley (Ginny wasn't it?) uncorking that golden potion he had seen. About to ask what they were going do, the question froze from his lips when she came forward and offered him it.

"You got to drink it," Harry said matter of factly as he was still pinning his arms down.

"And why would I listen to you?" Draco spat as he again frantically tried to get loose from their holds.

"I still can't believe he saved anyone," Ron commented loudly enough to be heard over the little squabble. Draco, hearing, stilled. "He still seems like the old prick back at Hogwarts."

"Still am, Weasley," Draco replied as he no longer struggled with the three boys on top of him. Craning his head so he looked straight at him, he tried to give him the most sinister grin he could conjure up. "Care to see?"

"You can stop acting all tough and bad," Hermione voiced ("Act!?" Draco yelled) as she came over to his side and looked down reproachfully at him, "because you already proved it was all talk with absolutely no bite."

"If youre to give me back my wand, Mudblood," gasps and angry grumbles filled the room and Draco felt a satisfying - and familiar - amusement come from it. Yes, this was familiar ground, "we can see whether your 'theory' is true or not."

Hermione, not responding, pulled out her own wand. Seeing this, he said quickly, "You're not allowed to do magic over the vacations."

"You're not allowed to do unnecessary magic over the vacations," Hermione corrected him. "And since you really need to drink that potion and since you obviously won't drink it without a fight, it will be very necessary to magically subdue you." Smiling, she leaned over and tapped his forehead lightly, "Unless you plan to quietly drink all of it by yourself." Leaning yet further, close enough that, Draco noticed with even more amusement, made Ron's lips thin, she whispered quietly in his ear, "to keep your pride intact, of course."

When she leaned back up, she had an all too knowing look on her face that made the damned pink patches glow it's way back onto his cheeks. Grumbling, he wretched his right hand out from Harry's damn weight and stared at the potion that was still in Ginny's hands. "Now get off me," he said and saw as Potter and the two Weasley twins obliged. As he was about to gulp, he also saw his wand on the bedside table. With a quick swig he drained the potion and, seeing all their approving faces, made a mad leap for his wand. Succeeding, he pointed it towards all of them.

"All talk and no bite, eh, Mudblood?" He asked as he waved it threateningly towards her. Odd prickles were swimming their way around his wand arm, but he ignored the unpleasant sensation. To his immense fury and annoyance, he saw as all of them looked at each other and rolled their eyes. "Expelliarmus!" Waving his wand in front of him, he sputtered to a stop as he realized that absolutely nothing happened. He said the word right, didn't he? He even didhe necessary swish and flick. "Expelliarmus!" He cried out again.

"You can stop wasting your breath, Malfoy," Ron said as he stretched lazily. "You're currently impaired of any magic for awhile."

Draco gritted his teeth.

"If you don't believe me," Ron went on, "just keep trying to do spells. Nothing will work."

"Stupefy!" Nothing. "Impedimenta!" Zilch. "Locomotor Mortis!" What was going on!?! "Bloody hell! Petrificus Totalus!"

"Stubborn git," Ron said as he watched Draco's face turn mortified at his complete lack of magic. "You. Can't. Do. Spells."

A sinking feeling spread throughout his whole body, a feeling worse then the dizziness, the nausea and the aching throbs. He couldn't do magic? The one thing he could always count on - the one thing that made him proud of who he was - the one thing that before never turned it's back on him... gone? No. It couldn'ave. "Rictusempra!! Reducto! Tarantallegra!Engorgio!DiffindoAvisIncenDIOSONORUS-"

"Draco!"

No... no... "FURNUNCULUS!"

"... stop it!"

He couldn't have lost it. "LUMOS!!" A burst of light sprouted from his wand.