Disengage

Chapter 1

September 2^nd , The Start of Term 5

"Catch, Potter!" Draco called, tossing a fencing foil towards Harry.  Harry swung around, and saw the thin sword flying at his head.  He reached out, grabbed a hold of it, and promptly vanished.

            The room full of people fell deathly silent.  There was a loud clatter towards the center of the room. Draco had dropped his foil. He stood there, mouth agape, staring at the spot where Harry Potter had been only moments before.  And then, all Hell broke loose.

* * * * *

August 21^st Before the Start of Term 5

            "En garde, boy!" Lucius Malfoy spat.  Raising his foil, Draco immediately got into defense position.  Lucius ran at Draco, advancing swiftly.  Rather than retreating or staying where he was (as regular fencing rules would require) Draco responded by rushing his father.  A clash of heated metal resounded through the sprawling ebony marble chamber.  The blades of their foils crossed, Lucius and Draco stood less than a foot apart, staring each other down, waiting for someone to make the first move.  Lucius acted first, disengaging, bringing his foil down and pushing Draco’s blade out of the way before immediately attacking again, thrusting the blade forwards.  Draco felt the tip of the blade connect with his chest…hard.  He retreated immediately, regaining proper fencing distance and silently fumed at himself for allowing his father to gain the upper hand. 

            "You’re still too easy, boy," Lucius taunted, knowing full well how to get under his son’s skin.  Draco glared and turned his back on Lucius, who stared at his son in confusion.  Draco smirked inwardly.  ‘The element of surprise…’ Turning suddenly, Draco rushed at Lucius, who stared in surprise as his son drove his foil forward with angry determination, successfully touching off a hit.  Lucius stood momentarily stunned before smiling slightly in admiration of Draco’s cleverness.  "That was pretty good, boy."

            Draco simply stared at his father, his face betraying no emotion.  Lucius sneered at his son.

            "Well, well, well…a tie.  I think I can remedy that."  The room was silent except for the sound of their footsteps as Lucius began to circle his son.  Draco raised his foil warily, prepared to fight off his father’s attack.  Lucius advanced upon his son. Draco tried desperately to parry his father’s attacks, but was finally unsuccessful.

            Draco stalked off to the corner, angrily stripping off his fencing jacket.  Lucius stared at his son’s retreating back, smiling.  He walked over to join Draco, who was still pouting, and glared at the house elf, who immediately began pouring them water in fright.  Lucius handed a goblet of water to Draco.  "Not bad, boy." Draco accepted the glass of water.  "Did you know, there is going to be a fencing team at Hogwarts next year? Snape is going to be running it." Lucius said slowly and deliberately.  Draco looked up at his father with interest.  "Perhaps, you can finally beat Potter at something." Draco turned away.  "Here, maybe this will help." Lucius took out another fencing foil, and handed it to Draco.  "Give this to Potter, and I guarantee you will win." Draco glowered at his father, took the foil, and heatedly left.

            Lucius watched Draco, smiling evilly, "Yes, you will win… once and for all."

* * * * *

September 1^st

            Harry Potter had mixed feelings when he returned to Hogwarts after summer holiday.  He was happy that he finally escaped the Dursley’s care.  The Dursley’s were still mad about the ton tongue toffee incident, and absolutely refused to let Harry leave the house anytime over the summer.  It didn’t matter anyway; halfway through summer break Ron wrote to him and told him that Dumbledore was not letting Harry visit the Weasley’s over the summer because it wasn’t safe.  With his books and broom locked in the closet under the stairs and no refuge from his family in sight, it had been the summer from Hell.  Yet also, it was painful returning to Hogwarts.  The atmosphere was different now.  ‘Cedric…’ 

            "Harry?"

            Harry turned from where he had been staring out the window of the train.  Ron and Hermione were looking worriedly at him.

            "You all right?" Ron asked anxiously.  Harry nodded wordlessly and turned back to the window.  Hermione looked at Ron and shrugged. 

            The train pulled into Hogsmeade and the students proceeded to the horseless carriages.  Harry walked as if he was in a dream, Hermione and Ron following closely behind him, whispering urgently to one another. 

            "What’s gotten into him?" Ron asked, frustrated. 

            "I don’t know," Hermione whispered, "but I think we should maybe write to Snuffles…don’t you think?"

            "All right…" The two of them climbed into the carriage behind Harry, who was looking out the window…again.

            Suddenly, the door opened, and someone stuck his head in.

            "This all taken?"  It was Draco Malfoy.  Ron glared and Hermione put a restraining hand on his arm.  Harry simply glanced at Draco, then turned his gaze back to the window.  Draco grinned, and looked around the carriage.  "No, then?  Jolly good!"  He climbed in, seating himself directly across from Harry.  "I haven’t talked to Potter in a while!"  Draco continued to grin at Harry, who continued to ignore the blond boy.  Ron was seething with anger.

            "What do you want, Draco?!" he demanded.  Draco slowly turned his gaze on Ron.

            "I just wanted," he drawled innocently, "to see how our resident murderer is doing-"

            Whatever Draco was going to say next, he never did.  Ron dove at Draco and grabbed him by the collar.

            "You stupid bastard!" Ron roared. 

            "Ron!" Hermione grabbed the back of Ron’s robes in attempt to pull him off of Draco, but failed.  Livid beyond reason, Ron refused to relinquish his hold on Draco, only succeeding in tripping out of the carriage and dragging Draco down with him.

            "You slimy, Death Eater, shit-for-brains, ferret-faced…" Ron grappled for insults to throw at Malfoy, who was still grinning at him, despite the fact that his nose was bleeding in a most undignified manner and a shiner was already forming around one eye.

            "Ron!  Stop it this instant!  You’re going to get in trouble before school even starts!" Hermione yelled from the carriage door.  Harry stood next to her, glancing out the door at the fracas outside.

            "You boys!  Stop that!"  A tall man with light brown hair and warm brown eyes strode over. He was wearing maroon robes that were obviously new.  Ron took no notice as he came over, if anything only glancing quickly over his shoulder before punching Draco again.  He grabbed the back of Ron’s robes, pulling him off of Draco.  "Stop, I said!"

            Draco gently touched one finger to the corner of his mouth, checking to see if it was bleeding or not.  It was.  He reached into his robes and pulled out a handkerchief of the finest silk, and wiped the blood from his face.  After tucking the now bloody handkerchief out of sight, he eyed the man with the same lack of respect he showed to most people.  "Who are you?"

            "I’m Professor Goddard, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher…who are you?!"

            "A slimy git," Ron mumbled.  Professor Goddard obviously stifled a smile and tried to look reproachfully at Ron before looking back to Draco.

"Draco Malfoy," Draco responded bored, as if this was all a waste of his time. 

            "Well, Mr. Malfoy," Goddard said, "That will be five points from Slytherin."

            Ron snickered.

            "-And as for you, Mr. Weasley," Goddard continued, glancing at Ron, "five points from Gryffindor.  If I see any more of this fighting from you two, you’ll be facing detention…"

            "Detention?" Ron interrupted indignantly.  Goddard looked once again as if he was suppressing a smile.

            "…For a week.  That is all.  Now, get back in your carriage.  I suggest separate carriages this time, hmmm?"  Turning to go, Goddard caught sight of Harry in the door of the carriage and froze.  Harry looked small, and underweight.  His green eyes were a stark contrast to his pale skin.  Goddard felt the urge to reach out to him, but he held back. "All right there, Harry?" He asked. 

            Harry was startled out of his deep thoughts, when Goddard used his first name.  ‘How did he know my name? What’s going on?’ Harry thought to himself.  Goddard continued to stare at him. Harry nodded slowly, "I’m all right."

* * * * *

September 1^st

            "Really, Albus, he doesn’t look well," Goddard informed Dumbledore, while they entered the Great Hall.

            "Harry?" Dumbledore inquired.

            "No, the other boy who has faced Voldemort countless times."

            "Really, Atticus, that was a bit unnecessary." Dumbledore admonished. Goddard sighed. Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Well, do you think I should send him to Poppy?"

            "I think that would be best," Goddard replied, "I’ll take him."

            "Don’t let your guard down. Don’t mention… just… don’t let your emotions get in the way." Dumbledore finished.

            "Don’t worry.  I’ve got it under control."

Chapter 2

September 1st

            Harry felt an overwhelming sense of happiness when he finally entered Hogwarts.  It had been an extremely long summer, and now finally it was over.  He was safe back at Hogwarts, and although his feelings were mixed over the events of the previous year, he still knew that he was where he belonged.  Yet, there was still this noticeable void in the school.  The kind of void there is after someone has left for good and there is an irreplaceable hole in the hearts of everyone.  Ron and Hermione might have seemed concerned, but they could not truly know what Harry was going through, or what he was feeling for that matter.  They hadn't seen someone die in front of their eyes; they hadn't been haunted by nightmares of the same event for nights in a row.  Harry didn't want anyone to know how terrible it felt, not even Sirius, who he used to believe he could have told anything.  He now made his way up the stairs towards the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione by his side.  Hermione was talking about her trip to Bulgaria to visit Victor Krum, and Ron was proceeding to turn a very interesting shade of pink.  'At least some things never change,' Harry mused to himself.

            "Really, Bulgaria has such a lovely countryside..." Hermione said animatedly.

            "You had time to notice it even though you spent your whole visit snogging with Krum?" Ron insinuated.

            "I did not spend my time snogging with Victor Krum!" Hermione said, rolling her eyes.

            "And I do not want to spend my whole fifth year listening to you two bickering constantly about Krum and Bulgaria.  I could care less what went on between you two, unless a new Quidditch move was invented," Harry said in mock exaggeration.

            "She started it!" whined Ron.

            "I did not, we're both at fault, stop being so childish!" Hermione said, punching Ron playfully in the arm.  Harry rolled his eyes.  As they were about to enter the Great Hall, Professor Goddard approached them.

            "Mr. Potter, you are to come with me, as per Professor Dumbledore's orders."  Harry looked cautiously at Professor Goddard.  This could easily be a set up. For all he knew Goddard could be as much an imposter as Mad-Eye Moody was.  He looked into Professor Goddard's eyes and felt he saw something familiar, something he knew was real, something he could trust.

            "Okay," Harry replied slowly, "Ron, Hermione, I'll see you guys later."

            Hermione and Ron both waved goodbye to Harry as they continued into the Great Hall.  Harry turned back towards Professor Goddard and started to walk with him. 

            "So, Mr. Potter, how was your summer?"

            "I'm sorry, Professor Goddard, but with all due respect, where are we going?" Harry inquired.

            "Madam Pomfrey's," Goddard stated succinctly.

            "Why?"

            "It's Professor Dumbledore's orders," Goddard said evenly.

            "There's nothing wrong with me!  Why do I have to go see Madam Pomfrey?!  It isn't even the first day of school yet!"

            "If there is indeed nothing wrong with you then I think it is safe to say that you have nothing to worry about."  Harry glared at Goddard as they entered the Hospital Wing.

            "Harry, dear," Madam Pomfrey called out.  Harry walked up to her and she made a small indication that he was to sit in the chair before her.  "So," she began, "How was your summer?"

            "My summer?  It was the usual," Harry replied noncommittally as he folded his arms across his chest.

            "The usual?  What does that mean?" Madam Pomfrey prodded.

            'She's a nosy git,' Harry thought angrily to himself.  "I mostly did chores and tried to stay out of my family's way," he said aloud.

            "Have you been eating enough?"

            "Yes, my whole summer has been filled with sweets and ice cream," Harry said with sarcasm.  Goddard and Pomfrey met each other's eyes briefly before Madam Pomfrey gave Harry with a withering look.

            "Let me translate for Madam Pomfrey," Goddard interrupted, "we want to know the truth.  There is absolutely no need to be sarcastic."

            Harry sighed and looked at his feet.  "Well, basically grapefruit halves and old birthday cake is what I've been living on since I left Hogwarts."

            "Just what I thought, those lousy Muggles.  A growing boy like you needs plenty of mashed potatoes, you're already underweight as it is," Madam Pomfrey tutted and left to get something from her office.

            Suddenly, Albus Dumbledore entered the Hospital Wing.  "Hello, Harry.  I see you've met Professor Goddard.  Thank you, Atticus, for bringing Harry up here.  I think that it is time for you to join the other teachers at the staff table in the Great Hall, though."

            Goddard looked as if he might protest, but Dumbledore gave him a look that basically said not to question Dumbledore's judgment. "Goodbye Mr. Potter, I look forward to seeing you in my class," he said warmly.  Harry shook his hand, and Goddard left.  Harry had a strange notion that he had met the man before.

            Madam Pomfrey bustled back in and handed Harry a small vial of potion.  "Drink all of that," she insisted.  Harry unstopped the bottle and drank it in one gulp.  He grimaced over the sour taste.

            "Ugh! What is that? It tasted horribly!" Harry demanded.

            "It's just a nutritional supplement.  Hello Albus," she greeted cheerily, noticing him for the first time.

            "Poppy," he nodded, "if you would please leave Mr. Potter and I alone to talk."

            "Certainly.  If you need anything, I'll be in my office," she said, turning to leave.

            After she had left and shut the door, Dumbledore turned to look at Harry.  "I am not going to ask how your summer was because I am sure it was most miserable."  Harry did not know how Dumbledore was able to figure out how lousy he was feeling before even hearing him talk.  It was as if the man could read minds.  "I know it hasn't been easy, Harry.  Living the whole summer with the Dursleys, not being able to visit Mr. Weasley and his family, but believe me, the precaution was very necessary."

            Harry nodded in false understanding.  He was still a little mad that Dumbledore had not let him visit Ron.  "Harry, have you had any dreams?" Dumbledore interrupted his stream of consciousness.

            "Yes and no," Harry admitted.  It was no use lying to the headmaster, he didn’t feel up to it.  Dumbledore cocked his head slightly to the side. "Mostly all my dreams had to do with the third task."

            "Ah yes," Dumbledore smiled sympathetically, "How long have you been dreaming about that?"

            "...A lot."

            "Every night?" Dumbledore prodded further.

            "Yes," Harry admitted.  Concern flitted momentarily across Dumbledore's features.

            "Why have you not told anyone?" He asked softly.

            "They're just normal nightmares.  No use worrying anyone."

            "Would you like some help sleeping tonight?" Dumbledore questioned.  Harry looked up at him with a confused expression.  "I could permit you to have Dreamless Sleep Potion tonight..."

            "As long as I can sleep in the dormitory instead of here," Harry interrupted.

            "Agreed," Dumbledore searched through the pockets of his robes and pulled out a flask of Dreamless Sleep Potion for Harry, "Drink all of that when you get up to the fifth year dorms."  Harry nodded and accepted the bottle, not even questioning the fact that Dumbledore carried dreamless sleep potion on him.

            "You may leave now, Harry.  I believe that the feast should be over.  The password to Gryffindor is Phoenix."  Harry nodded and said goodbye.  Dumbledore watched him leave.  "Well, what do you think, Severus?" Albus inquired softly.  The figure of Severus Snape appeared from the shadows of the hospital wing.  He turned to Dumbledore and exchanged a dark look. 

* * * * *

September 2^nd  

            'There's nothing worse,' Harry mused to himself, 'than having double potions with the Slytherins the first day back...'

            "Potter...pay...ATTENTION!"  Snape snarled from behind his desk.  "It won't pay off to fall asleep in my class this year!  Your OWLs are coming up, and I won't be giving out easy grades as I did in previous years!"

            At Snape's words, Neville fell out of his seat, and even Hermione proceeded to turn a very interesting shade of puce. 

            "Today," Snape continued, "we will be making the Sueur Dents Fou Potion, also known as the sweaty toothed madman potion, does anyone know what it does?" Hermione's hand shot into the air.

            'Typical...' Snape thought to himself.  "How about... Potter?"

            Harry glanced up at Snape thinking that perhaps it would have been a good idea to pay attention to Snape's class instead of daydreaming while looking at the cauldron fires.  "I don't know..." Harry replied hoarsely.

            "What was that?" Snape said, smiling in glee, "I can't hear you? You'll have to speak up."

            "I said that I don't know, sir." Harry emphasized his words slowly and deliberately.

            "Five points for your cheek, Potter," the Slytherins smiled in triumph.  Harry wished he could wipe the especially smug look off of Malfoy's face.  Snape was now subjecting Lavender Brown to humiliation, and Harry turned his attention back to the flames.  'Draco looked so great as a ferret,' Harry thought silently to himself, he smirked, 'being bounced up, and down, up, and down... up... down....' He almost started giggling, except Hermione kicked him from under the table. 

            "Pay attention!" Hermione whispered under her breath.

            "Miss Granger, 5 points from Gryffindor for whispering under your breath!" Too bad Snape had such excellent hearing, "Perhaps you can redeem yourself? What does the potion do?"

            "It protects the drinker from a sweaty toothed madman.  The stare that pounds your brain from the madman is almost like a basilisk stare.  It is almost as fatal, but not quite," Hermione explained.  Snape didn't even acknowledge that it was the correct answer, everyone already knew that it was.

            "Here are the ingredients and directions," Snape said, indicating the board, "when you are done put the finished potion in a blue stoppered flask.  Be sure to put your name on it.  We will be testing it tomorrow."

            The class continued in silence as everyone started to mix the potions.  During the 15-minute simmering time Draco finally spoke up, "Professor, what is this I hear about a fencing team at Hogwarts?"

            A small smile appeared on Snape’s lips, "Yes, Mr. Malfoy, there is one.  It will meet in the Great Hall at 8 o’clock.  The Gryffindors are welcome to attend, if they aren’t too scared."  The bell caused the sudden murmurs in the classroom to come to a halt.  Harry, Ron, and Hermione labeled their flasks and placed them on Snape’s desk.  The three got ready to go to their next class, Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins. 

            "Potter, you will stay behind," Snape said silkily. 

            Harry turned around and looked at him.  He turned back to Ron and Hermione, "Tell Professor Goddard that I will be late to his class."

            Hermione and Ron nodded, and left him behind. 

            "Follow me," Snape stated succinctly.  Harry followed him over to the student store of potion ingredients.  "Here you will find lacewings, toad scales, rose hips, earl gray…"

            Harry had already started tuning him out.  He stared at Snape.  Suddenly, he pictured Snape in Neville’s Grandmother’s vulture hat. 

            "POTTER! WHAT IS SO FUNNY?" Snape barked.

            "I’m sorry sir," Harry said softly.

            "Well then? Do you know what these ingredients make?" Snape questioned.

            "No, sir."

            "You don’t know what lacewings, toad scales, rose hips, earl gray… What these ingredients make?" Snape questioned again, losing his patience.

            "No sir, I don’t."

            "Stupid boy, idiot child!" Snape ranted at him.  Harry’s eyes flashed momentarily and then went dull.  Snape immediately regretted his harsh tone with the boy.  He wouldn’t go back upon his words though; he felt that all the coddling Potter got from others would never help him when it came time for the battle that lay before them.

            "Well sir, what do they make?" Harry asked.

            "A dreamless sleep potion.  I heard that maybe… after the some of the events of last year… That perhaps…"

             "I don’t need your help!" He looked darkly at Snape, slung his book satchel over his shoulder, and left the room.  The door slammed behind him.

            Snape turned and stared at his cauldron.  "He hides his emotions well," he mused out loud to himself.

* * * * *

September 2nd

Harry walked into the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom about 15 minutes into the lesson.  Ron and Hermione had saved him a seat between them.  As Harry sat down, Professor Goddard looked at him and acknowledged his presence with a nod.

            "We’re learning how to banish and eventually defeat lethifolds," Hermione whispered to Harry.  She pointed to the left side of the room where what appeared to be an ordinary cloak was behind a magical protective field.  Harry fought the urge to shudder when he saw it slither on the ground.

            "Does anyone know the only known way to banish a lethifold?" Professor Goddard inquired.  Hermione raised her hand.  "Miss Granger?"

            "The only known way to banish a lethifold was discovered by Flavius Belby.  He tried many charms including Stupefy and then the Impediment Hex.  He then used the Patronus charm, which successfully banished the beast," Hermione’s answer sounded as though it came straight from the textbook.

            "Correct, Miss Granger, 10 points to Gryffindor," Goddard smiled at her, "Now, does anyone know how the Patronus charm works? Hmm? Mr. Potter, how about you?"

            "You think of the happiest moment you can possibly think of and then you say Expecto Patronum," Harry answered.

            "Excellent Mr. Potter, 10 points to Gryffindor.  Today we will practice and start perfecting the Patronus Charm.  Eventually we will test it on the lethifold.  Everyone pair off." 

Ron and Hermione looked at Harry as if they were at a loss about what to do.  "You two pair off," Harry finally said.

"Really?" Ron asked.

"Yeah, it’s fine," Harry assured.

"If you are sure…" Hermione looked at Harry.  Harry nodded and Hermione smiled.  Harry looked around to see whom he was going to partner with.  Everyone seemed to have a partner.  Everyone, that is, except Malfoy.  As he made his way towards the opposite side of the classroom he heard Ron say, "Yeah Hermione, I bet your happy memory involves you and Krum snogging!"

"For the last time Ron, I did not snog Krum!" Hermione said in exasperation.

Harry shook his head to himself.  "Well Malfoy, I guess it is you and me," Harry looked at Malfoy with disdain.

"Don’t act excited or anything," Malfoy replied, moving towards the edge of the room with Harry.

Goddard clapped his hands and the desks moved so that there was room in the middle of the classroom. "Okay, you and your partner are going to alternate trying to conjure a Patronus. Remember, you must think of a happy memory first.  Would anyone like to share a memory? How about you Mr. Longbottom?"

"When I won 10 points in 1^st year," Neville said sheepishly, but he smiled slightly afterwards.  Draco snickered.

"What was that Mr. Malfoy? Would you like to share your memory?"  Goddard inquired.

"No, sir," Draco drawled.

"Right then.  Okay so you will aim your wand at your partner and say Expecto Patronum, and a silvery Patronus will appear.  Don’t worry, the Patronuses won’t hurt you, they don’t harm humans.  Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get one on your first try.  Sometimes finding a different or happier memory will work.  You may begin," Goddard began to wander from pair to pair as students tried to conjure Patronuses.

"You first," Malfoy said to Harry. Harry aimed his wand at Draco and tried to think of his happiest memory.  Probably the time they won Quidditch cup in third year.  Nothing happy had happened last year.  "Expecto Patronum!" Harry shouted.  A small, silvery and cloudy stag appeared from Harry’s wand and almost immediately dissipated.

"Admirable Patronus, Mr. Potter, 5 points to Gryffindor."  Goddard called over his shoulder.

"Your turn," Harry said smoothly as he moved in front of Malfoy.

Draco tried to conjure a happy memory.  He scanned all his memories.  There wasn’t really a happy moment.  He finally decided on the memory of him almost beating his father at fencing.  Draco aimed his wand at Harry, "Expecto Patronum." Nothing happened.  Not even a little jet of silver, not even a little bit of smoke, absolutely nothing.

"Perhaps that memory wasn’t happy enough?" Harry suggested.

Draco gave him a withering look as he pocketed his wand and strode angrily towards the door.  "Mr. Malfoy, where do you think you are going?"  Goddard yelled after him.  Malfoy turned and looked at him, and then promptly left. 

"10 points from Slytherin!" Goddard yelled after him.  The bell rang, and Goddard sighed.  Harry, Ron, and Hermione gathered their books and made their way towards the Great Hall for lunch. 

"Sorry you had to work with that slimy git, Harry." Ron muttered.

"It’s all right…"

"Did you see though, Malfoy can’t even remotely conjure a Patronus.  Ridiculous really, not even a little bit of silver!" Ron said gleefully.

"Ron, have you ever thought that perhaps he doesn’t have a happy enough memory to conjure one?"  Hermione said neutrally.

"Don’t rain on my parade, Hermione," Ron whined.

Draco unexpectedly appeared in front of them, blocking their way.  "Yes, perhaps everyone’s life can’t be as wonderful and happy as the famous Harry Potter."

"Harry’s life isn’t all wonderful or extremely happy for that matter, Malfoy," Ron advanced on Draco, but Hermione held the back of his robes.

"Whatever.  I’ll see you tonight at 8 o’clock, that is, if you aren’t too afraid of getting your asses kicked."  Draco glared at Harry, and then turned and walked away.

* * * * *

September 2nd

            The Great Hall was filled with most of the students in the school.  All the tables had been shoved to the sides at first, but had to be magicked out as the room quickly filled with more students.  Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood with most of their Gryffindor friends.

            "I wonder how this'll turn out," Ron said.  "Snape holding another club?  I mean, he's not exactly the most social person in the world, is he?"

            "Well, Goddard's helping him," Hermione pointed out reasonably.  "And he's very sociable."

            Harry silently pondered it.  Goddard strongly reminded him of someone.  'If only I could figure out who...'

            The doors to the Great Hall blew open, crashing back against the stone walls.  Snape stormed into the room in his usual annoyed manner, robes flapping behind him as if he were some overgrown bat.  Goddard walked in behind Snape, crimson robes swinging easily around him as he loped easily into the room, smiling his usual happy-to-be-here smile.  Goddard pulled his wand out of his robes and twirled it casually before pointing at the front of the Hall.

            "Etager!"  Immediately, a stage appeared in the front of the hall, big fancy curtains and all.  Goddard sighed, looking extremely aggrieved.  Several girls in the front who were mooning over him giggled at the over-exaggerated look of displeasure on his face.  "Rigius!"  The curtains disappeared, leaving the stage behind.  Snape went up first, snapping his fingers.  A bag of fencing equipment appeared on the stage.  Goddard soon joined him, casting off his robes as he went.

            "Hello, everyone!" Goddard smiled.  Many of the students hollered greetings back at him, grinning.  "Today, as you all know, we're going to be teaching you...fencing.  Now, some of you may have done this before, and others may be just starting.  Therefore, we will now go over some moves that every fencer needs to know, such as en garde, parries 4, 6, 7 and 8, repost, recover forwards, and the proper form for advancing and retreating.  Everyone spread out, and…" Goddard twirled his wand again and pointed it at the crowd of students as they spread evenly about the room.  "Apparo!"  Immediately, a foil appeared next to every student.  "There we are...now...for Scot's sake, spread out more!" he cried good-naturedly.  "Can't teach you how to fence if you're all bunched up!"

            After the students spread out enough so that everyone could see, Goddard pulled out a foil of his own, and Snape did the same.  The two began demonstrating different fencing moves to the students, pausing to correct (in Snape's case) or compliment (Goddard) where it was needed.  After forty five minutes passed and students were beginning to get the hang of it all, Goddard stopped them.

            "Now you all know a bit of fencing how-to's.  Okay, so we're looking for a volunteer."  Hands immediately shot into the air.  "Now, now, now, we only need one...we already have a student to help with the demonstrations...one who has fenced before."  At the mention of previous experience, half of the hands went down.  Goddard grinned.  "What, such a lack of courage?"  His honeyed eyes scanned the crowd eagerly, smile widening as he caught sight of a familiar face.  "Aha, yes, I think...Harry Potter!"

            Harry slowly pushed his way to the front of the room and climbed the steps up to the stage.  Goddard smiled warmly at him.  Snape glowered.

            "Now, where is our other volunteer?  I think...ohhh... Severus, will you call him?"

            Snape looked extremely displeased at Goddard's use of his first name, but complied, snapping his fingers loudly.  "Malfoy, if you don't mind!"  A gasp ran through the crowd gathered.  Harry felt his heart sink.  'I have to fight Malfoy?!'  The mutterings ceased almost immediately as Draco appeared on the scene, slowly climbing up the stairs to join them on the stage, smiling at Harry as if to let him know that Draco had one up on 'The Boy Who Lived’...which indeed he did.  Draco had experience, and was already prepared, foil in hand.

            "Hello, Potter," he said, sounding overly pleasant.  Turning away from Harry, he walked to the side of the stage where Snape was standing and stripped off his robes.  He was clad all in black: black pants, black fencing shoes, black glove on his weapon hand, and one tight black T-shirt.  In one hand was a black bag, presumably holding the rest of his equipment and his foil.

            "Preparing for a porn career, Malfoy?" Harry shot.  Draco laughed.

            "Ah, in your dreams, Potter," he drawled.  "And while I'm sure living out your fantasies would be ever so much fun, I'd rather beat the shit out of you with a sword.  So let's go."  Turning again, Draco pulled out the fencing equipment he was lacking: a half jacket and the heavy fencing jacket one wears on top.  He slid the half-jacket on over his right arm and, using his teeth, pulled his glove off.  After pulling his jacket on, he replaced his glove, tucking his sleeve into it.  Watching him, Harry thought to himself 'I am in really deep shit.'  Draco seemed so sure of himself.  'Okay, he always seems sure of himself.'  Still, this Draco was different.  This Draco obviously knew just what he was doing.  Harry turned to Goddard.

            "Ummm...I don't..." he began, flushing.  Goddard smiled. 

            "Here, Harry," he said softly.  Harry realized that Goddard was holding a half jacket out to him.  "Robes off," he continued, whispering so no one would hear.  Harry complied, and Goddard handed him the half jacket.  "Over your sword arm...same as your wand arm...now this."  Harry put the jacket on over the half one, pulled a glove on over it all, and accepted the mask his professor offered.

"Now," Goddard continued, "hold your hand over the bag and concentrate hard.  A foil will present itself."  Harry did as Goddard said.  Reaching shakily out, he put his hand palm down over the bag of swords, thinking hard about choosing the right one and kicking Malfoy's obnoxious ass.  Almost immediately, a foil jumped into Harry's hand.  He looked up at Goddard, smiling, and Goddard returned the look.  "Good, Harry.  Now go kick some ass."  Harry turned to face Malfoy, who was smirking at him, mask under his arm.

            "Ready, then, Potter?" he drawled.  Harry nodded.

            "Whenever you are, Malfoy."

            Draco smiled.  "Right, then, Potter.  Salute the judges, salute me, and we'll get down to business."  The fencing salutes were given- a quick couple of sword swishes- and Draco moved immediately into en garde in the fencing square.

            Snape and Goddard stood off to the side, watching them.  "Begin," Snape said.

            Immediately, Draco ran at Harry, sword outstretched.  Harry barely had time to comprehend what was happening before Draco was a foot away, Draco's foil was connecting with his chest, the magical judge was dinging loudly to signify that a hit was given, and Harry was wondering what the hell had happened. 

            "One hit," Snape smirked.  Draco turned his back on Harry, pacing back to the starting point, flicking his wrist slightly and cutting through the air with his foil, making a loud swishing noise.  He turned back to face Harry, not looking smug as Harry would expect from him, but...contemplative.  He looked as if he knew exactly what he was doing, but he wasn't going to get overly self-assured and do something stupid that would result in his losing the match to an amateur.  And that was what Harry was, an amateur.  Harry mentally kicked himself for being so stupid and moved back into en garde. 

            "Go," Goddard called.  Draco advanced again, quickly, but not at the astonishing speed he had displayed before.  Harry realized in shock that Draco was going easy on him.  The last advance had merely been done to prove a point- you are out of your league.  Now that he had exhibited and proved his talent, Draco was going to let Harry have a little easier go of it.  The thought that Draco was going easy on him infuriated Harry.  As Draco neared, Harry retreated slightly, parried Draco's attack and thrust the sword forward.  A look of surprise registered in Draco's eyes, and he smiled.  Apparently, he realized that Harry Potter was no pushover.  And Draco Malfoy was not one for doing one by halves if he didn't have to. 

Draco immediately upped the temp, pretending to parry Harry's attack.  As Harry went to disengage, swinging his foil around Draco's instead of merely dipping it around and then going to attack again, Draco disengaged Harry's disengage.  The continual unexpected twirling Draco executed on Harry's foil surprised Harry and Draco effectively disarmed Harry, knocking the foil from Harry's hand.  Before the foil hit the ground, Draco had repost, lunging forwards and executing a perfect hit on Harry's chest and pulling quickly back.  The weapon hit the floor with a loud clatter, Harry staring at Draco in shock, Draco smirking at Harry through his mask.  The magical judge rang off another hit.

            "Hit two for Draco," Goddard said, smiling in somewhat grudging respect, but also giving Harry a smile of encouragement.  Draco paced back to his side of the square, and Harry felt his blood boil as he watched his archenemy.  This time, the instant Snape announced the start of the match; Harry advanced, rushing at Draco.  Draco let out a laugh, rushing to meet Harry midway, performing a complicated twirl, sword slicing through the air and meeting Harry's foil midway.  The blades clashed together, Draco grinning at Harry, Harry glaring. 

            "Not bad, Potter," Draco hissed through the mask, "not bad at all."  He was still grinning, but this only infuriated Harry more.  Shoving hard on Draco's foil, Harry pushed Draco away from him and dove forwards, blade outstretched, free hand dropping down to his side as he went into the traditional fencing lunge.  Draco's eyes widened in shock as he felt the tip of the foil connect with his chest and the ringing noise sounded again.  The Gryffindors and other students all applauded loudly. All of them except the Slytherins.  It was Harry's turn to smirk at Draco.  To his surprise, Draco was smiling at him with a look of almost...admiration.

            "Not bad at all, Potter," he shook his head, smiling in disbelief.  "Not bad at all...though I'm not surprised, seeing as it's you...always top at everything."  Harry glared.

            "Two for Draco, one for Harry," Goddard said, sounding immensely pleased.  "Let's go, boys.  One more hit for Draco and it's finished...two more are needed for Harry.  Begin!"

            Neither boy moved.  Both Harry and Draco stayed in en garde position, Draco grinning, obviously baiting Harry, Harry looking grimly at Draco.  For several long moments, neither boy moved.   The crowd shuffled nervously.

            "What's he doing?!" Ron demanded, whispering anxiously to Hermione.

            "I don't know," she said, "but he must have a reason.  Look at Goddard!"

            Professor Goddard was looking back and forth between the two contestants, grinning broadly as if he was in on an important secret.  In reality, he just knew that face offs of this kind usually resulted in a dramatic finish to a fencing match.  Even Snape was smiling slightly.  He seemed to be sure of Draco's success.

            Harry and Draco continued to stare at each other.  Finally, Draco spoke up, loud enough for the entire room to hear him.  "Oh, the hell with it!"  Forgoing all fencing stances, Draco full out ran at Harry, arm extended.  Harry advanced to meet him.  The blades clashed together loudly, Draco attacking and Harry parrying, then switching.  Draco laughed as they battled, obviously having the time of his life.  Harry thought he had finally achieved the perfect opportunity for a hit when he disengaged twice, knocking Draco's foil into the air.  Draco proved him wrong.  As the foil took to the air, Draco simply caught it in his left hand and brought it clashing against Harry's sword.  Seeing the look of shock in Harry's eyes, Draco smiled.  "Ever heard of the term 'ambidextrous,' Potter?"  Harry glared and Draco grinned.  "Thought you might've." 

Draco shoved Harry off, and the match took up where it had left off.  Harry had to admit with grudging respect that Draco was as good with his left hand as with his right.  He was an excellent fencer; at least as good as anyone Harry had ever seen in any of those old adventure movies, if not better.  As Draco moved to attack next, Harry raised his sword to block it.  The blades collided loudly and more fiercely than they had before.  When they hit, the force of it seemed to shatter Harry's foil.  The foil broke in half; the end of it clattered to the stage, the sound deafening in the otherwise silent room.  Slowly, almost everyone in the Great Hall began to applaud.  The move had been impressive.  Goddard's mouth was hanging open in complete shock, Snape was looking triumphant, as if he had known it would happen all along.  The applause slowed down and then stopped completely.

            Draco pulled his mask off.  "Give me your foil, Potter," he said quietly.  Harry complied, pulling off his own mask.  Draco took the foil from Harry and went down on one knee.  He picked up the piece on the floor and held it up next to the part still attached to the hilt, examining them closely.  Standing, he dropped the foil next to its bag with a clatter.  "Weak blade...going to break sooner or later."  He regarded Harry absently, shaking his head in detached amusement.  "Trust you to choose a broken sword, Potter."

            Harry felt his blood boil.  "Do you always need to be such a royal pain in the ass, Malfoy?!"

            Draco grinned.  "Not my fault your sword shattered, Potter.  Why blame me?"

            Harry scowled.  "Just...let me go get another, so we can finish this damn match."  Turning, Harry stalked to the other side of the stage.  Still grinning broadly, Draco softly whispered "Accio!" and the foil his father had given him flew out of his fencing bag into his hands.

            "Hey," he called out loudly, "Catch, Potter!" He tossed the fencing foil towards Harry.  Harry swung around, and saw the light shine off the thin sword as it flew at his head.  He reached out, and grabbed a hold of it.

* * * * *

            At Malfoy manor, Lucius sat in the drawing room.  A sudden stinging pain rose up on his arm, just where the Dark Mark was permanently burned.  "He's got it!" a low voice hissed through his head, "Do it now!"  Quickly, Lucius pressed one finger against the branding on his arm, activating the Portkey.

* * * * *

            Harry only held on to the sword for a second or two.  Almost immediately after catching it, he vanished.

            The room full of people fell deathly silent.  There was a loud clatter towards the center of the room. Draco had dropped his foil in shock.  He stood, mouth agape, at the spot where only a moment before, Harry Potter had been.  The silence finally ended as the room broke into a tumultuous roar.  Professor Goddard stared for a moment, looked to Draco, then back to the spot where Harry had been.  His hands rose of their own accord and he clutched his hair as if he would go mad.  For a second, no more, it seemed as if his hair had turned black, then flickered back to its light brown shade.  Hermione stared.

            "Ron!" she hissed, attempting to get the redhead's attention.  Ron, meanwhile, was in a state of panic about Harry's whereabouts.  "RON!"  Hermione smacked Ron's shoulder.  Immediately stopping all action, Ron turned and looked at Hermione with wide, injured eyes.

            "O.w," he said slowly, annunciating the word.  Hermione smacked him again.  "OW!" he cried once more.  "WHAT?!"

            "Look closely at Goddard!" Hermione whispered.  Ron turned, looked, and did a double take.  "See what I mean?" Hermione prodded.

            "His hair..." Ron breathed.  "He looks almost like.... like...."

            "Like Sirius," Hermione finished grimly.

* * * * *

September 2nd

           

While the rest of the room sat stupefied, Snape almost immediately took action.  Grabbing Goddard by the shoulders, he shoved him towards the roaring fireplace, pausing only to throw a pinch of Floo powder in before shoving Goddard into the fire.  "My office!" Snape growled, only adding under his breath "...before you reveal yourself, for God's sake!"  Goddard vanished into the fire, a look of protest on his face as he faded from sight.  Snape turned back to face the assembled students.

            "You...go back.  Return to your dormitories."  Snape's eyes swept over the room, glaring at the students, but it wasn't hard to see the worried look behind the fury written there.  Turning, he was about to step into the fire himself, when he caught himself.  Turning again, he grabbed Draco by the collar.  "You too...come with me!"  With that, Snape did indeed step into the fire, dragging Draco with him.

            Draco stood stunned as he spun through the grates on his way to Snape's office.  He had never traveled with another person before, not since he was very little.  His father had insisted on him doing practically everything by himself from a very young age, and therefore his first double trip (that he could remember) unsettled him.  He could feel Snape's hand tight on his collar, the restraining force keeping him balanced, but to Draco, it was suffocating.  When the fire finally spat the two of them out into Snape's office, Draco tumbled out onto all fours on the floor, coughing heavily, one hand clutching his throat.

            "On your feet, Draco," Snape yanked Draco rather roughly to his feet, keeping one hand on the boy's shoulder until he caught his balance.  Professor Goddard was sitting in the nearest chair, his face buried in his hands.  Snape let go of Draco and paced over, a look of frustration and fury on his face.

            "Get a hold of yourself!" Snape shook Goddard's shoulder.  Goddard lifted his face out of his hands, looking up at Snape half in despair, half in anger, and Draco backed up against the wall in shock.  It wasn't Goddard sitting three feet away from him.  It was Sirius Black!

            "Ssirius....Bblack?!" Draco stammered, stunned.  His hands scrambled against the wall behind him, desperately seeking for a hold on something that could help him retain his quickly fading sanity.

            "Yes, Mr. Malfoy, it's me," Sirius responded angrily.  Rising out of his chair, Sirius advanced on Draco until he was less than a foot away.  He in turn grabbed Draco by the collar, this time lifting the blond boy into the air, about an inch away from his own face.  "What did you do with him, Malfoy?!" he demanded crazily.  "What did you do with him?!"  Sirius' hands held tight around the boy's slim neck, and Draco clutched at his captor's hands, struggling for breath.

            "Stop, Black!" Snape demanded.  Sirius ignored Snape's demands, and Draco's normally pale face began to flush red from lack of air.  "I said STOP, Sirius!"  Snape grabbed Sirius' wrist.  Sirius turned, his eyes glazed over, and stared at Snape.  Snape stared back at him, trying to keep his face calm.  "Let him go, Sirius."  Very slowly, Sirius relinquished his hold on Draco, who fell to the floor again.  Draco pulled out his silk handkerchief once again, coughing violently into it.

            Snape let go of Sirius's wrist, staring down at Draco.  The pale blond boy was on all fours once more, no longer coughing, but unwilling to look up.

            "Now, Draco," Snape walked slowly past Draco to his desk.  "Suppose you tell us...just what did happen?"  Attempting to remain calm, Snape rested one hand on his desk.  Draco refused to look up, his back heaving up and down as he took deep breaths, attempting to control his emotions.  "Draco!" Snape's voice was commanding, and Draco froze at the sound of it, his labored breathing ceasing.  "Do I need to prepare some Veritaserum?"  At this, Draco's hands clenched into fists, and a rasping sound almost like a dry sob escaped him.    

            "No..." Draco whispered, his voice sounding choked and forced.  "I..." he broke off and Snape waited impatiently for him to continue.  "It was...."

            "Sit up, boy, and look me in the eye," Snape ordered.  Draco slowly uncurled his hands, palms flat on the floor, and pushed himself so that he was kneeling in front of them, but he still kept his head down.

            "It...it was..." Draco clung tightly to his handkerchief, wringing it tightly in both hands with nervousness.  "It was..." looking down, Draco whispered the last words.  "...My father."

            "Your father?" Snape repeated softly.  Draco's head nodded twice, the boy looked truly miserable.

            "Yes...my father.  He told me ahead of time that there would be a fencing team here...he-" Draco continued.  Snape listened in silence and Sirius stared at Draco in horror as slowly, the entire story came out.  When Draco finished explaining, the room fell completely silent.  Draco sat on the floor, perfectly still but for the twisting of the handkerchief.  Snape looked at Sirius.

            "So, he's after Harry again," Snape said.  "A new type of Portkey that's activated when a certain person holds it.  Voldemort must have a certain connection to Harry, now that he shares the boy's blood."  The room was silent.  "We had better go to Dumbledore," Snape finished grimly, and Sirius nodded wordlessly in reply.  Snape looked down at Draco.  The blond boy seemed to sense Snape's attention.  Slowly, Draco lifted his head and cautiously met Snape's eyes.  Snape shook his head, looking at the boy in barely controlled anger.  "You foolish boy."

            At Snape's words, Draco bowed his head again.  Sirius glared.

            "And what should we do with him?"

            Snape sighed.  "Lock him in his dormitory, I suppose."

            Sirius frowned.  "Where do you think the Portkey took him?"

            "I'm not sure," Snape replied wearily. 

            "I...I think," Draco spoke up timidly.  "I think it might-"

            "He could be anywhere!" Sirius interrupted, panic written in his voice.  "Last time he ended up in a graveyard in some Muggle town!"

            "I said, I think-" Draco began again.  Snape cast Draco a withering glance before turning back to Sirius.  Draco glared and pushed on.  "I think he'd be-"

            "That's enough, Draco!" Snape hissed.  "You've done quite enough already.  You'll be going to your dormitory now."  Grabbing Draco by the collar yet again, Snape dragged him to the fire.  "Follow me, Black."  Snape threw a pinch of Floo Powder in the fire.  "The Slytherin fifth year dormitory!"

            Within seconds, they were there.  The room was empty still; all the students were down in the common room discussing the mysterious events of the fencing club, even though none of the three were aware of that.  Snape threw Draco forwards.

            "You'll be staying here, Draco," he said, angrily shoving hair out of his face and turning to Sirius.  "We'll go to Dumbledore and inform him of the situation.  He'll know what to do."

            Sirius nodded and both stepped closer to the fire.  "Professor Dumbledore's office!" Sirius called, and disappeared.

            "Wait!" Draco cried, as Snape stepped towards the fire.  "I have to tell you!  Harry is probably-"

            At that moment, Snape hissed "Dumbledore's office!" and vanished into the flames.  Draco stared into the fire, handkerchief twisted tightly in his hands.

            "...At my house," he finished softly.  As he wrung the handkerchief still tighter, it cut into his hands.  Blood dripped from the cut, soaking the silk fabric and dripping slowly onto the floor.  Slowly, Draco sank to his knees on the floor.  Letting the bloody handkerchief drop to the floor, he lifted his shaking hands, palm up, and stared with unblinking eyes at the wide gashes- one on each palm- that now ran across his hands.  Shaking himself angrily out of his daze, Draco stood again.

            'It's no good thinking on what you shouldn't have done.  You did it, and it's too late to change things, Malfoy.'  Draco paced across the floor, stopping when he stood in front of the mirror hanging on the wall.  He slowly walked forwards until he was less than a foot away from it, closely examining his reflection.  In his face, he saw his mother- her pale complexion, her fair hair- but in his eyes, he saw his father.  The same hatred for everyone, the same disdain for the world...the same evil. 

            "Yes, it's too late to change things, Malfoy... and that's all you are...a MALFOY!"  Completely enraged, Draco smashed his fists against the mirror, shattering the glass in one blow.  Some glass refused to fall, and his reflection remained, hanging tauntingly before him.  "Get out!" he screamed, clawing at the glass with his bare hands.  "Get OUT!"

            "Draco?"

            At the sound of the voice, Draco spun around in terror.  Someone had seen his loss of control.  For once in his life, someone would know what was truly inside him...that Draco Malfoy had feelings.  "Who's there?!"

            There was a long pause.  Then, slowly, a figure stepped out of the shadows.  A man, short in stature, shorter than Draco, who already stood a good five feet nine inches tall.  A pudgy, balding man with a slightly pointed face...a man Draco had known of for most of his life, but only seen a few times.  Peter Pettigrew.

            "Draco," Peter began.  Draco turned his back on the man, furious that Peter had seen him lose control of his emotions.

            "What do you want, Pettigrew?" he demanded coldly.  Peter coughed softly.

            "Your father requires your presence back at your home, Draco."

            "Home?" Draco echoed absentmindedly.  'Whatever he calls it, that place is no home.'

            "Er...yes.  The time has come for your Death Eater initiation.  The other Death Eaters await you...as does the Dark Lord."

            At Pettigrew's words, Draco started in shock.  He whirled around to face Pettigrew.  "The Dark...Voldemort, at our house?" 

            Peter nodded.  "Here, take this!"  He pulled a small photo out of his pocket and tried to hand it to Draco.  Draco examined it cautiously, making sure not to touch it.  It was a photo of his mother.  Seeing no other reason for Peter to be offering him this, he came to the only conclusion he could.

            "Portkey?" he asked, gray eyes flickering back up to look at Peter carefully.  The man nodded.

            "Of course.  Now take a hold and we'll be on our way."

            Draco was about to refuse before he thought better of it.  'If he really is taking me to my house, and Voldemort is truly there, then they're probably going to do something to Harry.  Maybe if I go, I can get to him before Voldemort can, and somehow make up for my mistake.'  Out loud, he made no response.  He simply nodded and gingerly took a hold of the photo, grimacing at it.  His mother wasn't smiling in it.  'Well, that's nothing out of the ordinary.' 

            "Okay.... Nine fifty-nine.... one more minute to go...." Peter said, glancing at his watch.  "Then we'll be on our way."

            Draco turned and glanced over his shoulder at the desk clock.  The glowing green numbers changed to 10:00.  He felt the oh-so-familiar tug behind his navel, as the dorm room swirled around him and everything faded to black.  'You better appreciate what I'm doing for you, Potter.'