69Chapter 2: Switching Sides
Harry watched as they walked Draco into the Great Hall. He turned to Hermione.
"I know what you mean Hermione. After what happened earlier tonight, I almost pity him. Up there on that tower tonight, it was strange. I think you might be right, I don't think he came back here to hurt anyone." Harry said solemnly.
"Harry? Did we just hear you say you pity Malfoy?" Ron asked, joining them. "Are you sure you didn't hit your head or something?"
"No Ron. You weren't up there. You didn't see the fear in Malfoy. It was like he was someone totally different. You didn't see him crying in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. He said that, that he had no choice, something about Voldemort killing him and his family if he failed or something. As much as I absolutely loathe him, I guess we can't punish him for something that he didn't actually do."
The trio just looked at one another, not sure what to think of the situation. Too much had happened that night. They turned and followed the others back into the Great Hall. Everyone that was in there was gaping at Draco Malfoy in utter disbelief. He was led to a secluded corner, away from everyone else. He couldn't believe that he was really here, it went against everything that's been drilled into his head for the past 16 years. He was betraying his parents, his whole family but he didn't care anymore. He was sick of trying to be the "perfect pureblooded son" and trying to make his father proud. He hated his father now, it was his father's fault that he was in this situation. His father was the one who failed, it was his fault. Draco felt tears forming behind his eyes and he buried his head in his hands. It was bad enough that everyone was staring at him, he refused to let them see him cry.
Hermione, Harry and Ron walked back to their seats. There was food, but no one really seemed to be in the mood to eat anything. They were all exhausted and sad. The Order members were discussing what they needed to do next, now with Dumbledore gone. They needed a new Secret Keeper for the Order and they figured that since it was Harry's house now, that Harry should be the one. Harry discussed things with the other members. Ron mostly just sat there, occasionally grabbing a piece of food. Leave it to Ron to be able to eat at a time like this. Hermione sat there staring off into space, still trying to take in everything that happened. Her eyes wandered around the Great Hall. There weren't many people there, most students were still in their dorms or common rooms. Her eyes settled on Draco. He looked like he was crying, which was strange in itself. Draco Malfoy actually had…feelings? Hermione actually felt sorry for him. He looked so pathetic, so human almost. She found herself getting up from the table and walking towards him, not really sure why, she just felt sorry for him. She wasn't heartless, she could tell something was wrong and it didn't matter who it was, she wanted to make sure he was okay.
Draco felt a warm hand on his arm. "Are you alright?" asked a soft voice. Who would be worried about him? He looked up and locked eyes with Hermione Granger.
"Granger, " Draco asked curiously. "What are you doing? Why do you care if' I'm alright?"
"Unlike you, Malfoy, I'm not heartless." Hermione answered pointedly. "So are you going to cut that bullshit and tell me what's wrong or are you just going to be a jerk like always?"
Draco looked at her for a moment, pondering why on earth would she, out of all people, give a damn about him?
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you, Granger."
"Oh really? Try me," Hermione replied. "You should be grateful I didn't hex your sorry ass when you walked up to me outside."
"Fine," Draco answered. "No I'm not alright. I was forced to do what I did, or at least what I tried to do. I'm going to have every Death Eater under the sun on my ass now because I turned my back on them. You don't just turn your back on Voldemort, you know. And my mother, she could die because of what I did. Did you get that? She could DIE because of ME! Because I couldn't finish one stupid order!" Tears welled up in Draco's eyes again when he thought about what Voldemort would do to his mother.
"Oh, I had no idea.," Hermione said softly. She was still surprised to see that Draco Malfoy had what seemed to be a conscious. Here was the Slytherin Prince, king of insults and arrogance, and he was actually crying. "I'm… I'm so sorry." And without thinking about who he was and what she was doing, she put her arms around him and hugged him.
Ron looked up from where he was listening to Harry and the other members discussing strategies and whatnot. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Hermione was actually HUGGING Draco Malfoy. He nudged his friend.
"Harry, look." Ron said, pointing to the corner. Harry followed his gaze and his eyes got wide with surprise and disgust.
The memorial was over. Dumbledore was gone. The members of the Order, along with the Weasley clan, Hermione, and Harry were back at 12 Grimmauld Place. They were still in shock over everything that had happened. Harry was not really happy to be back here, without Sirius. It was just barely over a year since the battle in the Department of Mysteries but Harry still wasn't completely over it.
The members had arrived there, along with Harry of course, shortly before the others started arriving. They brought Draco with them, though Harry was slightly hesitant about revealing the location to him. Lupin took Draco up to one of the rooms and magically locked the doors and windows with a very difficult locking charm. Little by little, more people started arriving. The other members of the Order arrived sporadically as did the entire Weasley clan (minus Bill, who was still in St Mungo's while they tried to help him recuperate some). Hermione arrived with the Weasley's of course and they all went into the sitting room, since it was one of the biggest rooms.
Lupin quieted everyone down and they discussed some matters. They knew that with Dumbledore now gone, Hogwarts was going to be targeted. One of Voldemort's biggest goals was to one day take over the school. They discussed the tightened security that would be there, IF the ministry allowed the school to reopen in the fall. The younger members, who were still in school would be going back for their seventh year. They had to go back, something to help them keep their minds off of what was swiftly approaching them. They would still continue to attend meetings as well as help out on any missions they could. Next the topic turned to Draco and what exactly they should do about him. At first some were hesitant that they should allow him a chance but after Hermione explained what Draco said to her the night he'd came back to the school, they decided that they'd allow him to give his reasons and possibly even question him with some Veritaserum. Lupin asked Hermione if she would kindly go retrieve Draco.
"May I take his bonds off, Professor? He has been bound since he got back to the school that night almost 24/7." she asked, looking around at the faces in the room.
Lupin nodded his head, knowing that Draco's wand was still safely hidden away and that Hermione had hers. Hermione walked out of the room and up the stairs to the room where Draco was being held. She pointed her wand at the lock and muttered the unlocking charm.
The door creaked open slowly. Draco was sitting, half asleep in a moldy arm chair in the corner of the room. Hermione noticed that his face was flushed, like he'd been crying again. She moved across the room towards him. A board in the floor creaked loudly, startling Draco from his rest. He jerked awake and looked around the room, his eyes falling on Hermione standing next to him. A small smile crept onto his normally solemn lips.
"Good evening, Malfoy.", she said quietly and muttered the spell to remove his bonds from his wrists. "I thought you might like those off."
Draco rubbed his wrists slightly where the bonds had been and went to stand up. Hermione took a step back, slightly startled at this abrupt motion but then reminded herself that he couldn't hurt her. Draco turned to face her.
"Thank you, Granger."
"You're welcome. Lupin and the others have decided to hear you out. They are waiting for you downstairs, I've been asked to come and bring you down." She said, pointing towards the door. Draco nodded and started out the door with Hermione directly behind him, her wand out but hanging loosely at her side the whole way. She led him into the sitting room where everyone was gathered.
"Mr. Malfoy.", Lupin said. "Please have a seat." He motioned to a chair in the center of the room, directly in front of Lupin and Harry. Hermione went over and sat by Harry. Lupin conjured up a cup of hot tea and poured a few drops from a clear vile into the cup and handed it over to Draco.
"I assume, given that you were in NEWT Potions that you know what I just put in that, correct?" asked Lupin. Draco nodded, he knew it was Veritaserum. "Now if you'd be so kind as to drink up, we'd like to hear why you came back."
Draco knew he had nothing to hide. He was ashamed of it, but he had no reason to lie, so he drank down the cup in two short gulps. He closed his eyes for a moment and when he reopened them, the room seemed to be more in focus than before. Before anyone even had to ask, he began pouring out his entire story. From Voldemort's orders to his threats of death to Draco's family if he didn't succeed to the moment the Dark Mark was burned into his arm. He told them about everything that he'd done the past year, the poisoned mead, the curse he placed on Madam Rosmerta, the cursed necklace. He told them about what happened on the tower, how Dumbledore had known that he wasn't a killer and had offered him protection from Voldemort and his Death Eaters. He even told them about his momentary discussion with Snape before he ran off and back to Hogwarts. When he finished, he felt the tears swelling up once more and buried his face in his hands yet again. When he lifted his head back up, he looked around the room. Everyone was staring at him, appearing to be shocked by what they'd just heard. After what seemed like an eternity, Lupin spoke.
"Well, Mr. Malfoy. It appears that you are undoubtedly among us of your own free will. Dumbledore was always a believer in second chances and if he offered you protection, then we shall of course oblige. But understand one thing, you must do as we say. This will be very dangerous, especially if Voldemort learns of your betrayal. Now we must find somewhere for you to stay since you obviously cant return home. Given that this is our headquarters and also highly safe, if it is alright with Harry, given that this house now belongs to him, you will remain here. Is that alright with you Harry?"
Harry eyed Draco with hatred and rage burning in his eyes. He nodded angrily, realizing that the greater good was what mattered, not childhood grudges.
"You can stay here, for now. Ron, Hermione, and I are still returning to Hogwarts this fall so unless you plan on returning as well, you will need to find a new place to stay as of then. I myself am leaving tomorrow for a week to take care of some business. I could tell you not to leave the house, but you are free to come and go as you please. Just remember, they're looking for you." Harry tried to keep the calmness to his voice but it was growing apparent how completely outraged he was with Draco Malfoy staying in his godfather's house, so instead of losing his calm, he simply walked swiftly from the room.
"Harry, wait." Hermione said, catching up to him. "I'll stay here for you. I've already told my parents that I would not be coming home this summer. I'll wait here and watch Malfoy while you go back to the Dursley's for a few days, if you are still planning on going, and then I guess we'll meet you at the Burrow for the wedding. I know you don't want to have to leave Malfoy alone in Sirius' house and I don't really blame you right now."
"You really think Ron and I will let you stay here alone with him Hermione? He's Draco Malfoy for goodness sake! Who knows what he could do to you if you two were here alone."
"Harry, I'm a big girl. I think I can take care of myself thank you very much. I don't need you and Ron to protect me. You go get your stuff in order and I'll meet you at the Burrow in a week, and I'll even bring Malfoy along so he wont be here by himself….we'll lock him in the basement or something" Hermione said, giggling slightly at the thought of locking Draco Malfoy in a basement. Harry finally nodded in agreement and gave Hermione a hug, heading off to his room.
When Hermione arrived back in the sitting room, Lupin was handing Draco back his wand, telling him to be very cautious and reminding him once again that Draco came to them for help so he must listen and do whatever they tell him to. It appeared that Draco Malfoy really wasn't so cold-hearted after all.