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Title: The Dragon's Truths
Author: Venus725
Summary: How to trust someone if you've never trusted them before? When almost murderer Draco Malfoy seeks out the protection of the Golden trio and the Order, they force him to spill his darkest secrets…using Veritaserum. …Some secrets should never be told.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter; frankly, J.K. probably doesn't write fanfiction.
A/N: To those whom have read this before, I've removed the other chapters for now…this first rewritten chapter is more of a trial run. I've decided to possibly alter this story a little more then necessary and make it HBP-compliant.
Really there won't be much difference, the same basic dialogue and plot points, but it'll be set during 7th year after HBP.
A few differences, for example issues with Snape and Dumbledore, but other than that, the same basic storyline. I've written a new beginning, but the old one wasn't too special in the first place. The point is that Draco will still be interrogated unwillingly and the same truths will surface, bringing about the same consequences and so on. If anyone very strongly thinks this is a bad idea, please review so.
However, I must impress upon everyone that might feel that way that the only real differences lie within this first chapter, and the rest will be pretty much the same.
Also, after this one, the other ones will edit much quicker and the new chapters should be here much sooner than you think. Depending on the editing process, I'm thinking updates two to three times a week, maybe more. Also, the use of foreign language will be much improved (now that I'm not 14 anymore, haha).
To new readers, welcome! This story was already to its 17th chapter but I'm rewriting it to make it better and HBP-compliant (I had started it before the 6th book). You can expect timely updates and much-improved writing.
To all…My goal is to get this finished before the 7th book, which seems like it just might happen. If not, oh well. Also, I won't be abandoning this again. Now please read and review!
.The Dragon's Truths.
A distinct shiver ran down Hermione Granger's spine on the eve of her best friend's seventeenth birthday. She closed her eyes and inhaled the cool night air from the open window in the Burrow's kitchen, her fingers clutching a mug of warm tea.
Slowly, she raised the cup to her lips and took a sip before glancing at the Weasley's famous clock.
Before she could even notice Ronald Weasley's hand moving, he was entering the kitchen and taking a seat next to hers, his hair messier than usual from his apparent lack of sleep.
"It's late, Hermione," he groaned, blinking at her.
"Then why are you awake, Ron?" she asked mockingly, taking another sip of her tea.
He glared at her and rolled his eyes.
"Same reason as you."
She nodded, chuckling as her forefinger traced the rim of her cup.
"He's fine. You know that," murmured Ron softly, taking hold of her hand. She felt a spark run through her fingers and she smiled at him.
"I know," she replied just as softly. She glanced at her Muggle watch.
"In fact, he should be here in about…3 seconds," she muttered.
A moment later, the Weasley's fire turned emerald green and the infamous Boy-Who-Lived, now of age in the wizarding world, stepped out and smiled at his two best friends.
"Harry!" exclaimed Hermione, bolting up and embracing him roughly.
"Hermione," he choked into her hair, his lungs constricted by the tight hold she had on his abdomen. After a few seconds she reluctantly let go of him.
"Oh, Harry," she whispered, her voice racked with emotion, "We were so worried about you."
"I'm fine, Hermione," he said carefully, patting her shoulder. Ron stood up from the kitchen table, grinning as he shuffled over to the two of them.
"Good to have you with us, mate," he said gruffly before pulling Harry into a much quicker hug than Hermione's.
"You two will be sick of me soon," Harry said, chuckling.
"You made it all right, though?" Hermione asked while ushering him to sit with them at the Weasley's table.
"I just flooed over as planned, just after the protection wore out," he replied evenly.
"Cup of tea?" Hermione asked.
"Nah," Harry said, "Which reminds me, before I left the Dursleys, Lupin made contact. Apparently there's a new development that needs our attention…he said he'll be by to see us soon. Do you think we'll need to wake your mum and dad, Ron?"
"Dunno," Ron replied thoughtfully, "If Lupin didn't mention anything about it then I guess not."
Before any of them could ponder Remus Lupin's visit any further, their old professor stepped out of the Weasley fireplace in a whirl of green flames.
"Harry," he said hoarsely, "Hermione…Ron."
In his hand he clutched a tattered scroll of parchment.
"Professor Lupin," Hermione said welcomingly, helping him over to the table. He smiled in gratitude as he sat. He looked exhausted; too many wrinkles betrayed his age and the dark circles under his eyes left him looking ill.
"Thank you," he said softly.
"What's the new development, Professor?" asked Harry.
Lupin sighed.
"I'm not sure," he said, unrolling the scroll from his fingers a laying it out on the table so they could read the message inside.
The answer to the riddle you seek lies within the prose.
Rim of gold
Tales of old
Lost in a place
long since foretold
First murder
for cruel ancestor's merger
there lies
Rim of gold
T.F.P.
"It was addressed to the Boy-Who-Lived, and delivered to Grimmauld Place somehow," said Lupin.
"Not cursed?"
"No, in fact charmed to be completely truthful. Tricky little thing to get open at first, but once I had proven my validity as new head of the Order, it let me read its contents. What does it mean?"
"It's a clue," said Hermione, examining the fine handwriting, "A clue to finding a horcrux."
Lupin's eyes widened; it had only been recently that he had been included on the horcrux information…only since just after Dumbledore's funeral.
"It's the cup," Hermione continued, "Hufflepuff's cup. The location is a bit harder to work out, however. Have you any idea, Harry?"
"First murder, for cruel ancestor's merger…" Harry muttered, "Yes! The Riddle Manor in Little Hangleton. Voldemort killed his father and his father's parents there."
"Seems like the hardest thing to figure out is who might've sent it," said Ron.
"It could easily be a trap," Lupin pointed out.
"No," said Harry, "The only people who know about Voldemort's horcruxes are Voldemort, us four, and R.A.B. Voldemort still has no idea that we know about them, and he wouldn't tell his followers. R.A.B. might've sent it, but he is apparently against Voldemort. Unless Dumbledore told someone else before he died…but I'm sure he wouldn't tell a Death Eater, let alone anyone."
"He could've casually mentioned it to Snape," growled Ron.
Harry's eyed hardened.
"As I said, I doubt it," he said quietly.
"Well, the person who sent this doesn't consider himself a poet," said Hermione, "They refer to their clue as 'prose', meaning ordinary speech, but it clearly has a structure similar to a poem."
"I really don't see how that's going to help," said Ron doubtfully.
"On the contrary, Ron," said Lupin, "The littlest clues lead to the biggest secrets."
Hermione smirked.
"Was it sent by owl, Professor?"
"Muggle postage."
"No luck there. Although, the handwriting and language suggest that the person who sent it is educated," she finished.
"Handwriting looks male," added Ron.
Hermione snorted.
"T.F.P.," said Harry, "There's the real riddle indeed."
"It was a good choice…and I think Tonks will like being back at Hogwarts," agreed Hermione, "I also think Professor Lupin finds it a bit more suitable."
"It's also great that you made Head Girl, although we all knew that was coming," Ginny Weasley said proudly, her own prefect badge slightly gleaming as the two girls boarded the train to Hogwarts.
For Hermione, it would be the last time.
"It is wonderful," Hermione said happily, "I have to meet the Head Boy, though, Gin…would you tell the boys I'll be in there in a bit?"
"Oh, I can't, Hermione," Ginny said apologetically, "I'm not sitting with them. It's been awkward enough with Harry at the Burrow…"
"Oh. Right. I'm sorry, Ginny. Go on ahead, no worries."
Hermione smiled at Ginny before making her way to the Head's compartment. Opening the compartment door, her eyes widened in terror at whom she saw sitting with a disgruntled-looking Headmistress McGonagall.
"Easy, Ron," said Harry.
"Easy for you to say, you'll be gone half the year hunting for lost pieces of a lunatic's soul," Ron remarked.
"No, it isn't," said Harry, looking at his friend seriously.
Ron ceased cutting his meat.
"Besides, we'll all be gone half the year," Hermione chipped in, avoiding looking at the Slytherin table any more.
"Yes, well," Harry began, lowering his voice to ensure privacy, "Not many people know what really happened last term. The reasons as to why he's here again are a mystery, but we do know his being here is dangerous. We need to do something about it."
"What can we do?" asked Ron, "He's a student, we don't know how, but he's still a student. And not to mention, Head Boy."
"We need to get proof of the crimes he's surely committed," Harry said.
"Might as well get the whole Slytherin house, they're bound to all have been initiated by now," muttered Ron gloomily.
"We know for sure that Malfoy is in Voldemort's service," said Harry, "Now all we need is proof."
"Then we acquire his secrets," said Hermione, "We force-feed him Veritaserum and use Dumbledore's pensieve to show McGonagall the memory."
"Brilliant," whispered Ron, once again picking up his utensils.
"Where are we going to get such a strong truth potion?" asked Harry doubtfully.
"Slughorn's storage," supplied Hermione, "He has a whole bottle; I saw it during one of his horrible parties last year while trying to get away from McLaggen."
Ron visibly reddened as he chewed.
"That just might work," said Harry softly, "You're willing to do that as Head Girl?"
"Of course," smiled Hermione.
Hermione raised her wand.
"Stupefy!"
Hermione's aim was spot on as a loud thump signaled his drop to ground.
Ron and Harry dragged him inside an empty classroom before tossing him against a desk. Hermione followed them and performed a simple locking curse before turning to Malfoy.
"Open his mouth," she instructed, pointing her wand at his forehead.
Ron tipped Draco's head back and positioned the stolen bottle of Veritaserum at his lips.
"I've altered the potion slightly," Hermione said, "I've cast a simple memory charm on it so that when it wears off, he won't remember anything. A small precaution. Ready?"
The two boys nodded impatiently.
"Ennervate," whispered Hermione.
As Draco began to come to, Ron slipped three drops of the potion onto his tongue. Immediately, Malfoy's eyes opened. Slowly, his eyes became slightly unfocused, and his open mouth closed lazily, his face slack.
"Can you hear me?" asked Harry.
"Yes," supplied Malfoy, drawling lazily as usual but with no mocking undertone.
"Good," said Ron maliciously, sitting down in front of Malfoy. Harry and Hermione followed suit.
"We only have an hour," reminded Hermione.
"This should be good," said Ron.
"All right, start with some simple questions," said Harry.
"Have you ever had sex, Malfoy?"
"Ron!"
"What?"
"Yes," said Malfoy without hesitation.
"Ooo, he has, Hermione!"
"You act like you're still eleven, Ronald."
"Be quiet, you two!"
Harry glared at them both before continuing.
"Why are you back at Hogwarts?"
Draco slowly turned to look at Harry.
"A difficult question to answer because even I don't truly know. When it comes to what my duties are, what must be done, and what I want…it becomes confusing sorting out which is which. I suppose my true desire in returning to Hogwarts is so that I can see her face again."
The three of them rolled their eyes.
"Pansy's face?" asked Ron, chuckling. Draco shifted his gaze to the redhead.
"No."
"Who's face, then?" asked Harry curiously.
"Granger's."
"What?" asked Hermione loudly, her eyes growing as round as saucers.
"Hermione Granger," continued Draco.
"Why her?" asked Ron, which prompted a glare from Hermione.
"Because I can't have Hermione Granger," said Draco slowly, "She is the one woman I will never have."
"That's the only reason?" asked Harry. Hermione remained motionless, unable to take her wide eyes away from Draco, her mouth open in shock. Draco turned to face Ron, his eyes still unfocused and his face still intensely relaxed. It was a bit unnerving not seeing those cool grey eyes narrowed into slits.
"No. Granger has always intrigued me, taunted me, almost. Up until our third year I thought of her as the one in the Golden trio who was merely there; the female for the boys to play with. However, after she stood up for herself and slapped me that year as a mere child, I began to see that she was probably the most valuable one of the three.
Insanely clever but neurotic, she is a brilliant witch. It infuriates me to no end how she beats me in every mark, a Muggleborn at that. But secretly it had instilled in me the fear that blood purity may not matter. After seeing her fourth year at the Yule Ball, my suspicions were confirmed. She was beautiful that night; she outshined every other girl there, and she was still only a girl then. Instead of feeling bested by her and angry that I hadn't won our game of who was better than whom, I felt strangely awestruck by how I could feel something like that for her."
At this, Hermione couldn't help blushing profusely; despite the fact that her mouth was still wide open in immense and horrible shock.
"She's grown and changed, and so had my opinion of her. Her innocence is still there, but she has seen so much. She has adapted in every way possible to this world, braving bullies like myself to the harsh reality of Weasel having no balls…and from that, the threat of worse things. Things that would have prompted me, were I in her position, to return to the safety of being a Muggle, although I would never admit it aloud. I have analyzed her and her relationships to the point where it is maddening, because I can't seem to find a weakness. That is why I'm irreversibly infatuated with her. She's the only one I can ever imagine saving me from my own life, and it can never happen."
"What should she save you from?" asked Hermione softly, her hand reaching out towards him and stopping just before she could touch his arm. Harry watched her carefully while Ron looked at his hands, his ears distinctly magenta in the dim light of the classroom.
It almost seemed as if Draco was about to smile sadly before he spoke.
"From what I was born to become."
A few moments of silence pervaded the room before Harry cleared his throat and regained his composure. Choosing to ignore the interesting new information, he opted to find out information of a more valuable sort.
"How are you back at Hogwarts? How are you not in Azkaban, or with Voldemort?"
"Although it is known by some that the Dark Lord ordered me to kill Albus Dumbledore last term, it is not widely known. All that has been proven legally is Severus's course of action. Using my father's means of persuasion, Severus was able to erase any proof the Ministry might have obtained of my involvement."
"Means of persuasion?" asked Ron, also choosing to not shed light on Draco Malfoy's latest confession.
"Gold," Draco answered flatly, his grey eyes shifting to fix on Harry's.
"Why did McGonagall let you back in?" asked Harry, struggling to keep his voice level.
"Severus arranged it, but I'm not sure how. I assume it had to do with my parents' wealth…the influence the Malfoys have has not completely died out since my father was imprisoned, and McGonagall has no power over the board of governors. The position of Head Boy that I was given, however, remains a mystery to me. I cannot say I'm displeased; it gives me a reason to spend time with Granger in the only I can."
"What happened after the night Dumbledore died?" asked Hermione softly, finally speaking. Harry and Ron glanced at her briefly before Draco began to speak, his gaze drifting to her slowly.
"Severus and I fled Hogwarts and separated from the others. We were headed towards my home, but the Dark Lord beat us there. My mother had already been murdered for my failure, and so Severus and I traveled east…where we went, I can't recall. He never told me. He never told me anything, and after the shock and anger of my mother's brutal death drizzled to numbness, I tried to escape.
I did not understand. Severus would not let me go; he only said one thing to me to make me stay. He only said that I would return to Hogwarts soon and be safe from the Dark Lord for at least a little while, until he returned. I asked him where he was going, but he only told me about horcruxes and the Dark Lord's obsession with finding immortality.
He told me of the information Dumbledore had found on Voldemort, and he gave me instructions to send Harry Potter a clue to one of the supposed seven horcruxes Voldemort had created. I still did not understand. I asked him why he did not return to his Master. Severus chuckled and said that his Master was dead and that if I wanted to live, then I would obey him.
He explained that when he did return the first week after my 7th term, we would prove our true allegiance with a mere memory."
As he finished, his voice still devoid of any emotion, the three students forcing his secrets sat silently for a few moments, attempting to absorb all of the information they knew couldn't be lies.
"Dumbledore did tell Snape," whispered Ron, glancing at a motionless Harry.
"Snape left you, then? And you don't know where he went?"
"No," replied Draco, still sounding nothing other than bored, "Severus told me to send Harry Potter the clue, and then asked me what I wanted to do with my life."
"And what did you say?" asked Hermione.
"I said that I wanted to be free," said Draco, his lips slightly curving upward in an almost smile, "I told Severus the truth about my inability to kill Dumbledore and how I was becoming something entirely different than what I was supposed to. I told him that I had begun to doubt the Dark Lord ever since the task he gave me, and how I had begun to doubt my father years beforehand. I admitted my fear and my desire to get out of the servitude I had agreed to. I admitted my desire for redemption, and how I had been so close to receiving it from Dumbledore…so close. Severus only said that I had had no other choice and that he understood more than I knew. He explained to me his own regret at not being able to keep me out of this."
"So is Snape…good?" asked Ron blatantly, his eyes wide in confusion and curiosity.
"I believe he will return soon with proof of his allegiance to Dumbledore. He spoke of another vow he had made to Dumbledore after the vow he made with my mother, but did not explain further. He only said to send Harry Potter the clue and return to Hogwarts on September 1st, and if I did not, the protection he gave me would wear thin and the Dark Lord would be able to find me."
"What vow did Snape make with your mother?" asked Harry quietly.
"The Unbreakable Vow," resumed Draco, "A year ago, after the Dark Lord had given me my assignment as punishment for my father's failure at retrieving the prophecy of Harry Potter and himself, my mother went to Severus for help. My aunt Bellatrix performed the spell and Severus vowed to protect me and carry out my task if I could not."
"You die if you break an Unbreakable Vow," muttered Ron.
Before they could continue asking questions, Draco resumed speech as if he were talking to himself.
"I am afraid that Severus will not come back soon enough. Aunt Bellatrix has sent me a letter informing me that my ceremony will occur before Severus promised to return. Without McGonagall's support or protection, I will be forced to attend and die after the Dark Lord uses me completely."
"Uses you completely?" asked Hermione carefully.
"Yes," confirmed Draco, "It seems as if I attend the ceremony, I will forfeit the magical properties in my blood for a potion that will help Voldemort gain incredible magical strength. If I must go, I will die. If the only thing I can do to redeem myself is to let my blood run cold before he can use it, then so be it."
The trio stared in shock, unable to look away from the boy that they had thought for years had always been so selfish and so arrogant and so evil. And, he was. But apparently not as much as they had thought.
"Not in love with Potter, too, right?" Ron finally sneered, breaking the silence in an attempt at making light of the situation.
"That's not funny, Ron," Hermione hissed dangerously. Her cheeks were still flushed from embarrassment and her eyes were alit like fire.
"Why…why don't you just go to McGonagall? Isn't that, I mean, isn't being part of the good side and helping them defeat Lord Voldemort a better alternative than killing yourself?" asked Hermione.
Draco's gaze went to her, away from Ron, and he stared unblinkingly into space like all was right with the world. For a moment, his eyes seemed focused and softened, but in the next instant the look was gone. Each member of the trio wondered to themselves if it had even been real.
"I have contemplated attempting to prove my reformed ideals to McGonagall, but without Severus's help or evidence, it seems futile. Beyond all that, a part of me is still too proud, still too aristocratic in nature to want to go completely soft. A foolish reason, of course, but it exists. With all reasons pushed aside, I cannot. Without proof I have nothing, and there will be no profit for me."
"But there would be!" said Hermione almost hysterically, tired of listening to the young man's hopelessness. Stray tears fell from her eyes…none of it was fair, even for a person who had seemed so beyond liberation.
"Hermione," said Ron comfortingly, putting a hand on her shoulder to steady her.
"She would believe you…there is a way. You said you wanted to be free. …Don't you want to be free?" she asked, staring right at Draco.
They waited in silence for his answer, and he seemed to be thinking.
However, he began to blink furiously, his facial features betraying confusion. Harry glanced at his watch.
"Only thirty seconds left…stupefy him, Ron."
"Wait-" began Hermione.
"Yes," said Draco softly, "I would like that."
"Stupefy," muttered Ron.
Before anything more could be done, Draco Malfoy was once again unconscious on the ground.
"Tell me about it," said Ron who was staring moodily into the fire, glancing at the motionless Hermione Granger every five seconds.
"Hermione, when are you going to start talking? I know that tonight must have come as a shock, but-"
Hermione cut Harry off.
"We need to do something." Both of them looked at her.
"We'll show McGonagall the memory of what happened, just like we planned. With the information we have to give, we won't be punished. It'll more than prove his worth to the Order…he needs protection and we need his information. I know he's not the ideal person, but we can't just let him off himself."
"I know," said Harry, gazing into the swirling flames, "He won't remember. All he'll be able to recall is somehow ending up on his back in the middle of a corridor. One of us will have to persuade him into meeting with McGonagall, and it'll have to be you, Hermione."
"I hope you don't mean that in the way I think you do, Harry," she warned him, her caramel eyes flashing.
"You're Head Girl, Hermione," said Ron in a tense, irritated tone, "That's what he means by it."
"Partially," said Harry, a smile growing on his lips, "But if you have to use your feminine wiles to win him over, feel free."
"Not funny, Harry," she muttered, rolling her eyes before continuing, "When Snape comes back, we'll have to all hear him out as well." Harry's fists clenched considerably while Ron looked into his lap. After a few moments, they both nodded.
"This has been a difficult night," said Hermione, "But there is one more thing to address."
They both looked at her.
"Ron," she said slowly, "What did Malfoy mean?"
"Mean by what?" Ron asked casually, examining his fingernails and avoiding her eyes. Harry held back an amused chuckle.
Hermione took a deep breath before continuing.
"What did he mean about you having no…courage?"
"No idea," Ron said impassively.
"Oh, good Merlin, Ron," said Harry, "Give it up, mate."
Ron sighed.
"I noticed, Ron," Hermione whispered.
"I'll leave for this," said Harry quickly, bidding them a quick goodnight. Neither of them seemed to notice his departure as Hermione came to sit across from Ron on the sofa.
"You never cease to notice, Hermione," said Ron carefully, his eyes searching hers hesitantly.
"It's been like this for a long time," Ron continued, taking a hold of her hand gently.
"I know," she said softly.
They sat in silence, both too afraid to speak.
"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Hermione.
"Why didn't you tell me?" asked Ron, "Assuming that you-"
"I do," she said quickly, smiling. Ron returned the grin shyly.
"It's taken us seven years," he said wryly.
"Yes," she said, "All because of jealousy and stupid arguments and…"
"Fear," Ron finished for her. She sighed and nodded in understanding before standing up, letting go of his hand.
"Where are you going?" he asked, standing with her.
"To bed."
"What?" asked Ron, "That's…it? After that?"
"It's been a long night," she said quietly, "Especially concerning these kind of feelings, Ron. I think time…time to mull things over…is best." He looked at her for a few seconds before nodding. She turned to leave, but he gently pulled her back to face him before speaking.
"Before you do that mulling thing you do so well," he said, smiling before he bent down and softly pressed his lips to hers in their first kiss.
"Hey Malfoy, you have a spare moment?"
He turned, smirking at her.
"What do you want, Granger? Don't tell me you want an autograph too?"
"Don't flatter yourself, Malfoy, its business only." He turned toward Crabbe and Goyle and told them he'd meet them in the Great Hall in a few minutes as Hermione tapped her foot impatiently. As soon as his minions were out of sight, she pulled the tall, handsome Slytherin down a deserted corridor and with surprising strength pushed him up against a wall.
"What are you doing, Mudblood? What's this about?" To his surprise, she seemed unaffected by his name-calling and began to speak in a soft yet urgent voice.
"Come with me to McGonagall." He stared at her.
"What?"
"I said to come with me to McGonagall's office," she said, moving closer to him. He began to feel very alert of how close she was getting…and how she smelled of sweet lavender…
"What? Why? I…what are you talking about, Granger?"
"You know what I'm talking about, Draco. Oh, and I also have something to confess. I fancied you a while back, in our third year till about the time Viktor Krum showed up. And after that went down the tube, I never really thought those schoolgirl crush-like feelings had any depth, any real meaning."
"You…you fancied me?" He tried to pull off a smirk but had been so caught off guard that, at the moment, he was having trouble concealing his raw emotion. She moved closer to him, before whispering gently in his ear,
"Come with me, Draco. I can help you, she can help you…please trust me…or I'll stop what I'm doing."
"What makes you think I like what you're doing?" he asked, meaning to sound condescending and more like himself, but it came off weak and desperate.
"A lot of things," she replied, brushing her cheek past his, causing him to shiver involuntarily.
"Draco…" she murmured softly, before kissing him softly on the lips.
He didn't stand a chance.
He had dreamed about what was happening for months, years even, and he found that real life was much better than dreaming.
The kiss was short, but gentle and sweet. When she pulled away, Draco wished fiercely that he could have another taste, even though he knew he must be dreaming…
"Come with me, Draco," she whispered in his ear again, "Right now. There's still hope. I have proof you can use. The Order needs you…and, who knows? Maybe in time I'll need you too."
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before she backed away, beckoning him to follow her.
Scrutinizing her carefully, he quickly did so.
I've left it off this time, and we'll resume next chapter with dear Draco getting the help he needs and all that good awkwardness. Thanks to everyone for their continued support, and please leave me with your honest opinion on what you think my next move should be.
-Venus
