Switched

Chapter Ten

Decisions and Destiny

Harry's head was pounding. What happened?

"It was incredibly easy, father, I tricked him effortlessly. I just told him I had to speak to him and then grabbed him when I put on the ring," Draco said.

"I was beginning to worry about you, Draco. Hearing stories that you'd befriended Potter. But you have proven yourself a true Malfoy. And just in time," Lucius Malfoy boomed.

Harry opened his eyes. A thin crack interrupted his vision, spiralling down his left glasses lens. He was tightly bound and gagged, and being magically pulled along behind Draco and Lucius. Harry at once knew that the switch had not been complete, and somehow the magic had dragged him along with Draco.

Oh, shit. Now what?

Not wanting to reveal he was awake, Harry remained motionless and silent. They were walking quickly down a path, surrounded on all sides by dark forest. The air was cold, but the ground was free of snow. The forest appeared to be thinning, and they were approaching a high ridge, the peak of a rocky hill.

"Where are we going?" Draco asked.

"Where I've been hiding since my escape. Where we've all been hiding." Lucius began to trek down the steep slope, Draco rushing to keep up. Even from behind Harry could tell that life on the run did not agree with the man. He looked gaunt and dirty, his blond hair a knotted mess.

"Are the other Death Eaters here too?" Draco asked.

"No, they've all been sent to meet with family members in secret. They all must prepare, a time of initiation is upon us. And it is to begin with you," Lucius said.

Draco glanced back and Harry hastily shut his eyes. He waited a moment before reopening them. They had already reached the bottom of the hill, and were passing behind some more trees. Just to their right Harry could see a narrow road leading up to an ornate metal gate. Just hidden from view inside the trees they were passing the gate, circling around a high wall. Harry could barely see the upper floors of a manor house just beyond the wall. He shifted slightly, trying to see the name on the gate. Who could be housing all these Death Eaters without fear of being caught?

Draco too was peering at the name on the gate. It was still before daybreak, and difficult to see in the dim light, but Harry could nonetheless make out the lavish sign with gold glittering letter. Fudge. Harry's heart skipped a beat. Did that mean...

"Is this the home of -" Draco began.

"The ex-Minister? Yes, Draco. Cornelius has been repaying many debts since he lost power, including housing myself and the other Death Eaters. No one is the wiser, or course." Lucius led Draco to a smaller, less noble entranceway, barely visible through all the trees. He swished his wand and the gate opened easily.

"Follow my steps close, Draco. These grounds are protected by many curses." Lucius side-stepped the small cobblestone path leading from the fence to the house, and instead walked beside it, pausing every few moments to dispel the blockades. Eventually they reach a side door in the large ivy covered home, and Lucius pushed it open with ease. Immediately visible were several steep steps, leading them beneath the house itself.

"We'll take our guest to the cellar, I'm sure he'll be happy there." Lucius chuckled maliciously.

The air grew frigid as they sank lower and lower below the earth. Torches barely lit the dirty walls, and rats occupied every shadow. They finally stopped at a large stone door near the end of the hall. Lucius kicked it open with a grunt, and yanked Harry roughly inside. Harry fell to the ground, knocking his shoulder hard on the cold rock. Lucius swung the door shut behind him and gave Harry an idle kick. Draco was standing close to his father, looking lost.

Harry struggled into a sitting position as Lucius magically removed his gag.

"Mr. Potter. We meet again. So soon," Lucius said. "My son tells me that you were easily made to believe that the two of you were chums. Had I known you were so daft, I would've told him to do this much sooner. I guess stupidity is to be expected from half-blood like you."

"Did he tell you the whole story?" Harry asked.

Lucius looked at Draco.

"I did, father! I told you everything!" Draco stepped back.

"We were more than friends, Lucius. I'll admit that I was tricked, I thought myself to be in love. I thought he loved me back. Your son is, after all, a complete poof. We fucked and everything. He wasn't bad, I guess, for the filthy little shit that he is. So why don't you untie me and lets get this over with. I'm not afraid of you or your faggot son," Harry spat.

Lucius gave Harry a hard kick to the ribs. "Lies."

"It's the truth, he and I were together. We were in love," Harry said, doubling over in pain. With all of his effort, he opened his mind so Lucius could see his thoughts, see him and Draco as they had been the past week. Harry saw the recognition on Lucius' face, and he turned to Draco.

"What is the meaning of this?" Lucius loomed over his son.

"It's all lies! Father, he is only trying to -" Draco began.

"Crucio." Lucius waved his wand and Draco fell to his knees, his face screwing up in pain. "Is he telling the truth?"

Draco suffered for a long moment, and Harry's stomach clenched the entire time. His head was thundering, his limbs on fire - it was as if Lucius was cursing him and not Draco at all.

"It's true," Draco whispered. The torture ended, but Lucius looked ready to kill.

"You disgusting piece of refuse! You allowed yourself to be with this despicable excuse for a wizard? You are not to engage in that behaviour, especially at Hogwarts, where anyone could find out!" Lucius raised his wand once more, and this time Draco's wails filled the room. Harry wished he could hold his hands over his ears, block out that horrible sound, but it was all around him, inside him, escaping from his own parted lips.

"Stop!" Harry yelled without thinking.

Lucius turned, and his wand was once again lowered.

"He never loved me. He could never love anyone thanks to you," Harry said.

Lucius stepped closer to Harry, forcing him to meet his eyes. Since Harry had already opened his mind to the man, he entered it again with ease. Harry tried to gather up all his dark feelings of hate and despair and push Lucius away as he had done to Snape earlier that week, but these feelings were gone. All that was left was Draco, and Harry was ashamed to feel such happiness and love even now that he'd been betrayed. Laughter filled the room and Lucius broke his gaze away.

"You did well, boy. You made him fall in love, and these feelings blind him, even now. Join me in torturing him for this foolishness. I am certain that Harry has all sorts of information that the Dark Lord is longing to hear." Lucius readied his wand once more, and Harry braced himself.

"Father, no." Draco rushed to his side, stopping him mid-spell. "The Dark Lord will not want you to spoil his most treasured prize. I am certain he will want Harry all to himself, and he will be angered if you rob him of that opportunity."

Lucius considered Draco for a long moment before nodding his consent. "Fine. Make sure his ropes are extra tight and secure him -"

The door squeaking open interrupted this thought. Everyone turned to see a small, scraggly house-elf enter with two larger elves in tow. Harry had never imagined there could be uglier looking elves than Kreacher, but he had been mistaken. In between all these elves was a tall blond woman with her eyes on the floor - Narcissa Malfoy.

"Master, so sorry to interrupt, but I caught Madam Malfoy tryin' to leave out the servants exit and brought her to you, as commanded," the first elf grunted.

"Good work. Please leave us alone, but continue to guard all entrances and exits. We wouldn't want any unexpected visitors." Lucius stepped close to Narcissa, and she stiffened.

The elves left, closing the door. Draco looked as though he wanted to rush to his mother, but didn't think it wise.

"Trying to run?" Lucius whispered.

"I told you, my love, I must go visit -" Narcissa began.

Lucius interrupted her with a swift slap across the face. Her hair fell back, revealing a dark bruise around her eye already. "And I told you, any plans you have must be put on hold. It's Christmas. Time for families to be together."

"But my sister -" Narcissa began.

"Your sister will be fine. She has let weakness cloud her judgement, and the Dark Lord punished her appropriately. You are not leaving," Lucius snapped.

"But I promised! I promised that I would meet her," Narcissa said.

Lucius grabbed her roughly by the hair, forcing her to her knees. "You grow increasingly insolent by the day. You think that now, because you are the false front of the Malfoy house while I am on the run, it gives you more power? Well it doesn't. I've had enough of you running off to meet your sister out in the forest. The Dark Lord has placed her there alone for a reason, so she might think about her ill-advised words against him. Or are you even going to see her at all? Are you hiding something from me?"

Narcissa turned her face away, refusing to meet his eyes. Lucius pulled and twisted her hair roughly and she gave a small scream, but would not let him into her mind.

Looking at this abused woman, so different from the snob he had met at the Quidditch World Cup; something dawned on Harry. Narcissa was rebelling against Lucius, at great risk to herself. Surely there was a reason, there had to be something more to this display. Harry recalled Snape's ominous words to him after he'd been inside the Pensive. Had Snape been talking about Narcissa? Was she more involved in this than anyone knew?

Harry glanced at Draco, and was surprised to see him staring back in shock. Did Draco know too? Were their minds still connected?

As if answering this question, Draco hurried to his mother, pulling back his father's hand. Gently he helped the sobbing woman to her feet.

Lucius was purple with rage. "She has disobeyed me, Draco, she must be disciplined. Stand aside."

"She sees the error of her ways father. Please, leave her be," Draco said.

"You would take the side of this woman over your own father?" Lucius asked.

"I just don't want her to be in pain." Draco stepped protectively in front of his mother.

"But you had no problems causing her pain, did you Draco?" Lucius sneered.

Draco flushed. "That was different."

"She is asking for reprimand now just as she was then," Lucius said.

"No, she simply wishes to visit her sister. Is that too much to ask?" Draco asked.

"You've never liked Bellatrix. Why the sudden change of heart?" Lucius hissed.

"I just respect what she's trying to do." Draco gave Narcissa a small look.

"And what is that? Undermine my power?" Lucius pointed his wand in Draco's face. "Your mother is weak and confused. We do not accept this behaviour as Malfoys. Unless you no longer wish to follow our code? Are you even a Malfoy now, since you've been with that half-blood rubbish?" Lucius motioned to Harry.

"I will always be a Malfoy," Draco insisted.

"Then stand aside."

"No."

"I said stand aside!" Lucius snapped his wand and cast Draco away with a bright blast of light.

"Draco!" Narcissa rushed across the room to his crumpled form on the dirty floor.

"You pledge loyalty to your son over your husband?" Lucius thundered.

"I don't want to lose him like I've lost you!" Narcissa cried. "You used to be a great man, respected and feared by all, but now you are no better than a criminal and a murderer, a fanatic for a dying cause. You will die serving him and I don't want to lose Draco too!"

"Silence!" Lucius cursed her as well, and sent her flying into the far wall. Harry heard the familiar snap of breaking bones.

"And what do you think, Draco? Do you think you will die following a failing cause? Do you wish to deny your very name and abandon your father? It is your time to decide, will you join me as a Death Eater, or will you stand beside your mother and be penalized?"

Draco struggled to his feet, and Harry felt a sharp pain in his side. One of Draco's ribs was broken. He glanced at his mother, writhing in pain on the ground, and then back at Lucius.

She is willing to die to save you, Draco! Don't waste her effort! You don't have to join him!

Harry desperately sent out his thoughts to Draco, hoping to reach the boy before he spoke. Draco glanced at Harry, and this made Lucius spin around and do the same.

"What's that Potter? Sending messages to my son?" Lucius strode to Harry's side, trying to force himself back into Harry's mind. Harry clamped his eyes shut, twisting away. Lucius picked Harry up by his hair and threw him into the wall. "You can't escape me, Potter. You could never keep the Dark Lord from your mind, and now you cannot stop me."

Harry fought with all his might to block Lucius. He couldn't breathe, for Lucius' hand was firmly placed around his neck. But even with his eyes closed, he could feel Lucius getting inside his thoughts, seeing what Harry had only realized moments before - that Narcissa must be communicating with Snape. She had betrayed him.

In an instant, Harry was released, and he fell back to the ground. The air rushed inside his lungs and he opened his eyes, praying Lucius would spare Narcissa. But he was charging towards his wife in a rage, and even as Draco and Narcissa removed their own wands Lucius was disarming them, sending Draco flying into the wall beside Harry. His head hit the cement with a dull thud, and Harry saw stars. Blood trickled down Draco's face, and he seemed barely conscious.

"You've deceived me?" Lucius asked.

"No, Lucius, it was you who lied to me. Leaving me to join the Death Eaters, claiming it would only make us richer and more powerful. But you were never around; you didn't care about me anymore. And as much I as tried to convince myself it was for the best, I was lonely. So when Snape came to me one night, I gave myself to him. And now he's blackmailing me. Everything I know about you and the Death Eaters, he knows. And so does Dumbledore. And I was willing to tell all. Snape has offered to save Draco and I from you. There is another way, we could help Dumbledore and be protected by him. Whatever I thought about him and the people he protects, I see that he will win this war. And I won't be on the losing side, no matter what. You can die fighting, but Draco doesn't have to. And when I don't come to meet Snape tonight then he will come here with all of The Order to stop you. They know that you are here, they know all about your plans for Draco. But I won't let it happen. So kill me if you want, but it's too late for you."

Lucius raised his wand, words forming on his lips, but stopped mid-air. "No, Narcissa, I won't kill you. I have an even better idea." He walked to her side and picked her up by the arm. Her wrist appeared to be broken, and she winced. "Let's go meet Severus together, shall we?"

Lucius pulled Narcissa from the dungeon before she could respond, closing and locking the door behind him.

Moments later, Draco gave a soft groan and pulled himself up off the ground.

"Draco, for whatever it's worth, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for Lucius to find out. Whatever happens to your mother, it's my fault," Harry whispered.

Draco didn't say a thing, he merely crossed the room and picked up his abandoned wand. He turned, pointing the wand directly at Harry. Suddenly, the ropes engulfing Harry loosened considerably.

"I would untie you, but I don't want my father to find out. And stop blaming yourself for bloody everything. My mother chose to betray my father. She knows what she is doing," Draco said.

Harry wriggled into a seated position, exhaling in relief. "So you don't hate me."

"I'm just glad you figured it all out. Now her behaviour over these past months suddenly makes sense. She's been trying to save me, and you're right, I can't let those efforts go to waste." Draco's voice was cold, as if he was forcing his emotion away.

"So you're not -" Harry began.

Draco rushed across the room, unable to contain himself any longer. "You maintained your feelings even when I'd abandoned and betrayed you, Harry. You have no idea what that means to me. I can't believe I almost turned my back on you. I could feel it, when he tortured you. I'm so sorry for getting you into this. But believe me, I'll get you out, no matter what I have to do."

Harry leaned close to Draco, looking deep into his eyes, still flecked with green, only visible up close. The apology was sincere. Harry could feel it. Draco had been changed by the switch, and his feelings for Harry couldn't have been a lie. "We'll get out of this together, Draco."

Draco nodded. "We need a plan. If we act fast we can escape here with Snape and my mother and avoid Voldemort entirely."

"Why avoid him? We've got a perfect opportunity here, to surprise Voldemort with a double attack," Harry said.

"Harry, you're not ready to fight him. He's too powerful, and you're hurt," Draco insisted.

"I'm tired of avoiding my destiny Draco. I don't want to run from him. Let's end this, sooner rather than later," Harry said.

"But you can't fight him like this! He feeds off hatred and anger. I know he does. The one thing my father ever told me about him was that he despises decent emotions like love, or joy, or happiness. You hate him, Harry, and for good reason. But until you can abandon this hate and fight him only to save the people you love, then he will beat you." Draco repaired Harry's glasses with a silent spell.

"I can overcome my emotions. When your father tried to penetrate my mind, I wanted to push him out with all the dark images that repelled you and Snape, but I couldn't. I could only think of you, and how much I love you."

Draco kissed Harry lightly on the lips. "I don't want to risk losing you. Not after all we've been through. I tried to throw it away and I couldn't. I can't live without you. If Voldemort kills you..."

"He won't kill me. We can fight him together and win."

"I don't want to risk my mother's life. Or Snape's for that matter."

"We'll trick them all. As far as your father knows, you are loyal to him. When he returns, you have to convince him to leave Snape and Narcissa out of this, and to call Voldemort for your initiation. Insist that you talk to Voldemort alone, and if you can distract him, I will break free."

"And then what? Avada Kedavra?"

"If we did it together - a combined spell - it might work."

"And what if it doesn't?"

"I don't know, we can try other curses."

"Harry please, listen to me. You aren't ready -"

"And when will I be ready?"

"You just want to die fighting, throw it all away?"

"It's better than running."

"This won't bring Sirius back! It's suicide!"

"It's what he would've done!"

"Then he was a fool!"

Harry went red with anger. "Don't you dare say that. You were about to hand me over to Voldemort all because you were too scared to stand up to your father."

"I didn't see any other choice!"

"Don't give me your excuses, Draco. You're a coward!"

"I wasn't going to join him, all right?" Draco stood up, storming across the room. "I knew I couldn't go through with it. I was hoping to just fail Voldemort's test and be over with it. Let him do to me what he wanted."

"So you'd rather die a coward than fight?"

"I'll fight if there is good reason and opportunity, and now I see neither."

"My revenge is not a good enough reason?"

"No, it's not. You hate Voldemort because of all the people he kills. But if you start killing as he does, fuelled by rage, you'll be no better than he is! Let me deal with my father and then we'll all sneak out of here and get to safety. There are others who need to be saved from joining the Death Eaters, and if they know there is another option, they will join us."

"And how were you planning on dealing with your father?"

"I'm not going to kill him."

"I don't believe you."

"I may hate him, but he's not worth that. I'd rather he stay alive and suffer defeat, ending up abandoned and powerless. That's the fate he deserves." Draco leaned down and retrieved Harry's wand from his back pocket, positioning it so Harry had it in his hand. "Trust me, let's just get out of here. Follow my lead, okay? Please?"

But Harry did not get a chance to respond. Shouting filled the hallway behind Draco and he quickly rose to his feet, stowing his wand away.

The door swung open, and Snape tumbled inside. He was bleeding from a gash above his lip and roughly bound. Narcissa fell in behind him, now also tied up. She looked quite worse for the wear, now sporting a deep cut along her collarbone.

"Fuck you, Potter!" Draco shouted as they walked inside, planting a kick in Harry's midsection. The kick was deceivingly light, but Harry grunted and groaned all the same.

"Draco, wand at the ready. I don't want any funny business," Lucius said.

Draco pulled out his wand, turning his back on Harry.

"It was too easy, my boy, I wish you could've come along. Severus here never suspected that poor, abused Narcissa would have her husband in tow. And now that he is here, the dirty betrayer, I think it's time we called our guest of honour to join this little party." Lucius pulled back his sleeve, revealing his own Dark Mark.

"Father, surely you want to deal with these two on your own and not trouble the Dark Lord -" Draco began.

But Lucius lowered his wand tip to his arm with a grimace. "Don't fear him, Draco. He will not be easy on you, but your suffering will be worth it in the end. Your time has come, my son. Be proud."

Harry was glad that Voldemort was coming. Now there were no excuses. He would have to fight, and he only hoped Draco would join him.

* * * *

Draco held his breath, not knowing what to expect. He'd never seen Voldemort except in Harry's mind. How could they fight such a powerful wizard? Draco glanced at Narcissa, struggling on the ground next to Snape. He needed to get them out of there and fast. He did not trust his father's temper, and he would not let his mother pay for trying to save him.

There was a soft pop, and suddenly the doorway filled with shadow. Draco had been half expecting a flourish of fire and smoke, but was nonetheless terrified as a tall figure entered the room.

"My Lord, so sorry to call you without warning. However, I've come across some information that you might find rather intriguing," Lucius said.

Voldemort stepped into the room, causing Draco to catch his breath. He was almost normal looking now, not the hideous snake-creature Harry had first seen emerge from the cauldron all those years ago. His eyes remained almost slit-like, with a deep red tinge, but apart from that, he appeared to be a normal man. He was almost handsome, with dark hair and pale skin, and Draco recalled Harry's memories of Tom Riddle.

This is just a man, Draco. A half-blood no less. Don't forget that.

Doing his best to swallow his fear, Draco emptied his mind, not wanting Voldemort to be the wiser to his plan. But the wizard paid Draco no heed, instead turning to Lucius.

"What is he doing here? I've told you to stay away from Severus, he's Dumbledore's now and of no use to us!" Voldemort pointed his wand at Lucius, eyes blazing.

"But my Lord, I have brought you someone else! My son assisted in bringing your archenemy into my very hands! He's here, and utterly defenceless!" Lucius motioned to Harry.

Voldemort looked at Harry with utter malice. "I see him, Lucius, and am wondering why you would compromise my plans with this foolishness. We need to build up our own forces before we try to take on the Order once more."

"But sir, the Order has no idea that we are here! You're free to dispose of Potter as you wish," Lucius insisted.

"Dumbledore has his ways of tracking anyone, you fool! And now you've brought two people here who could easily be leading him right too us," Voldemort snapped.

"But sir, it was only because I discovered that there was one among us who has been feeding Dumbledore your secrets all along! My own wife has conspired with this turncoat to bring us down! I couldn't just let the conspirators continue their treachery!"

"You think I did not know all about this foolish woman's change of heart? Why do you think I refuse to hideout in Fudge's miserable home with the rest of my Death Eaters? I have been allowing her to speak with Snape, just as I have been allowing Snape to live. I wanted to know all that Dumbledore thought he knew, and through you and her I've been feeding him lies! He thinks he knows my plan - to build up my Death Eaters and attack the Ministry - but this has all been a cover. While I've put you fools to work on collecting more soldiers, I've been plotting an attack on Hogwarts. I will have forces willing to die in combat while I take down Dumbledore and his closest followers."

"You could never take down Dumbledore. He's far too powerful a wizard for the likes of you," Snape croaked.

Voldemort pointed his wand at Snape, who convulsed in pain. "Severus, Severus, Severus. You always had so much potential. It's a pity it all went to waste over a crush on a mudblood."

"She died to protect Harry, and I shall do the same," Snape groaned.

Voldemort pulled his wand away, leaving Snape panting. A cold, high laugh filled the room, sending shivers down Draco's spine. "Who said any harm would come to poor Harry?"

"Too afraid to fight me Riddle? Now that I know the prophecy, I don't blame you. You can never win," Harry said.

Voldemort looked at Harry, and Draco felt a sharp burning pain in his forehead.

"So brave, aren't we Potter? You think that you can scare me with talk of prophecies? I know that Avada Kedavra will not work, but that does not mean I doubt that I can kill you, Harry. And I know you can't kill me. But I wonder if you have changed your mind about that offer I made you so many years ago. You are not the boy you were, Harry Potter. I can feel your hatred and your anger even now. I could help you, if you were to join me." Voldemort stepped closer to Harry, and Draco longed to speak out, to remind Harry that his parents would not have wanted him to join such a wizard.

"You'd let him join us, my Lord? A disgusting half-blood?" Lucius asked.

"His blood is as pure as my own," Voldemort hissed.

"I would never join you. You're just afraid. Well, I'm not afraid, Tom, so untie me and lets get this over with. If you are so confident you can beat me, then fight me," Harry said.

"Too bad, Harry. You've made the wrong choice." Voldemort turned to Draco, causing his heart to race. "Well, you're in luck, young Draco. You will get a coveted opportunity here tonight as part of your initiation into my ranks. I understand you tricked Harry into coming here."

"He made the idiot fall in love with him," Lucius laughed.

"I expect you are eager to prove yourself, so I will begin your ceremony immediately," Voldemort said.

"Draco, please, you don't have to do this! There's another way!" Narcissa tried to get up but couldn't.

Lucius turned on her and muttered a spell. A red beam of light flew at Narcissa, hitting her hard in the chest. She fell back, knocking her head against the wall. Draco glanced her way, but she remained motionless.

"She is of no use to you now, forget her. It is time for you to accept your destiny. Do you swear to be loyal to the Death Eaters above all others, and to be ready die for their cause?" Voldemort asked.

Draco felt himself grow pale, but met Voldemort's dark eyes without hesitation. "I do."

"Do you pledge allegiance to myself, the Dark Lord, as your master?"

"I do."

"To prove yourself, Draco, I ask you to do a special task in my name. You must kill Harry Potter." Voldemort stepped aside, motioning Lucius over to Harry.

Draco's heart was pounding as he watched his father roughly drag Harry to his feet. What now? How could he possibly get around this one? He couldn't risk attacking Voldemort, Lucius would stop him at once. And then Harry would surely be doomed. Draco raised his wand, unable to stop his hand from wavering.

"You know the curse Draco! Make me proud," Lucius commanded.

Draco met Harry's deep green eyes and knew he could never harm him, no matter what the cost. He loved him, and he would die for him. Voldemort would see through any attempts to pretend to harm Harry. Draco did not have a choice.

"Kill him!" Lucius shouted. "Finish him off like I did your foul mother!"

Draco glanced at Narcissa, still motionless on the ground. Snape was trying to tend to her, but his restraints limited what he could do. A pool of blood was forming around her slumped form.

"Draco! Act now or face my wrath!" Lucius' voice thundered in Draco's ears. He could feel his anger swelling, a hot rage ready to engulf him at any moment. He looked back at Harry, struggling in the arms of his father, and knew what he had to do.

"Avada Kedavra!"