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Chapter IX Harry looked over at the Slytherin table in shock, the whole Hall falling silent with him. The number of empty seats at the table on the far side of the room was startling, to say the least. Most of the students in his own year numbered along the missing. Pansy Parkinson, Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, Millicent Bulstrode, and... Draco Malfoy. Harry narrowed his eyes. Dumbledore cleared his throat and Harry looked back at the teachers' table. The Headmaster was staring at the Slytherin table, an unreadable expression on his face. He said nothing for a moment, then cleared his throat again. "As you all can see," he began slowly, "something has occurred. For unknown reasons, a sleeping draught of some kind tainted our meal the night before and several students are now missing this morning. I can assure all of you that we are investigating this and will find a resolution. For now, I'm asking that all students remain in their Houses for the rest of the day. Prefects, please walk your classmates back to the dorms. Food will be brought to you there. Thank you." With little fanfare, Dumbledore sat down again, once more conferring with several of the teachers. Silence hung in the Great Hall for a moment more before Hermione stood up. "Gryffindors, follow me," she said, her voice ringing loudly through the hall. The other prefects soon followed her lead and started gathering their Houses together. Harry rose from his seat and started to follow the herd out of the room. Ron fell into step at his side. "Why would someone steal Slytherins?" mused the redhead. "Not that I mind them gone, but still..." Harry shrugged, but didn't reply. Ron paused mid-step, staring at the teachers' table. Harry glanced over at him. "What is it?" he asked. Ron frowned. "Where's Snape?" Harry spun around, looking at the gathered Professors. Ron was right. Professor Snape wasn't among them. A younger student jostled him from behind and he was pushed out of the Great Hall, the worried and angry faces of the professors lost from his sight. * * * * * * Severus slumped down in his favorite chair in his office, a plush, old-fashioned, Muggle recliner he usually kept in the corner of the room so it wouldn't be sat on by obtrusive guests. A cup of very strong coffee was balanced in one hand, the other hand rubbing into his temples as he tried to force away the headache that had taken up residence there from, oh, since he was born. He sipped the coffee and hissed, the potent liquid burning his tongue. "Dammit!" he grumbled, juggling the cup so it wouldn't spill on himself or the furniture, gingerly banishing the steaming mug to a nearby side-table. "Too hot?" asked an all-too-chipper voice. "Shut up, Mr. Malfoy," Severus growled, glaring at the boy from where he was perched on the Potion Master's desk, a book open on his lap, still-sore leg elevated on a charmed, floating pillow. Draco smiled at his Godfather. "You should try to relax a little," he suggested. "The hard part is over. The Plan went off without a hitch." Severus sniffed. "The Plan may have succeeded, but we still have the fall-out to handle," he reminded the boy. "Somehow, I don't think forty-seven missing students will go unnoticed for long." Draco turned his head, wincing at little at the movement, and glanced at the clock resting above the fireplace mantle. "I'm sure they've already noticed," he said mildly, looking back at Severus. "I didn't eat much last night and I've been up for almost two hours, so everyone else should be moving around already." "You should probably leave then," Severus said, rising wearily to his feet. "It won't take them long to figure out I was the only one who could mix the potion. There's no sense in implicating the both of us." Draco nodded and carefully lowered his leg from the floating pillow, standing up and hobbling over to return the book he'd been reading to the shelf. "Where should I go?" Draco asked. "I don't think it would be safe for me to return to the dorms right now." Severus was about to answer, but was cut off by a loud shrieking coming from a small orb on his desk. With a low curse, Severus walked swiftly over to the table, waving his hand over the noisy object to silence it. Draco looked at the door, alarmed. "Get in the lab," Severus instructed him, shoving Draco into his private potions lab and shutting door. Seconds later, the door his office swung open, Headmaster Dumbledore striding into the room, Professor McGonagall, Remus Lupin, and that damn dog close on his heals. As soon as they were all inside, Remus closed the door and cast a silence and locking spell. The dog shuddered a moment on the floor, then materialized into the scowling form of Sirius Black. "What did you do, Snape?" Sirius growled, standing up. "Sirius, please let me handle this," said the Headmaster gently, then turned back to the Potions Master. "Severus," he began, "what did you do?" Severus sighed and briefly closed his eyes. "What I had to," he replied shortly, looking back at the Headmaster, face held carefully impassive. "Forty-eight students!" Professor McGonagall cried angrily. "How did you manage to make forty-eight students vanish overnight? And why?" "Forty-seven," Severus corrected. "What?" Remus asked, furrowing his brow. "Forty-seven," repeated the Potion's Master. "Not forty-eight. That's how many students are gone." "We counted forty-eight," McGonagall said snippily. "Yes," Severus replied slowly. "Mr. Malfoy was here this morning. He woke up a few hours before the rest of his House and came straight to me. I've since sent him back to his dorm." "So, he was a part of all this?" Remus asked. Severus rolled his eyes. "Don't be stupid, Lupin," he said. "He's just a child." "You still haven't answered why you did this," Dumbledore reminded him, his face dark. Severus sighed and crossed him arms over his chest, leaning back against the edge of his desk. "It wasn't safe for them here," he stated simply. "Hogwarts is the safest place in the world!" Professor McGonagall countered shrilly. "For your Gryffindors, perhaps," Severus spat, glaring at her. "And maybe for the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs as well. But certainly not for the students in my House. The first fight broke out yesterday within the House. It would only have gotten worse. I remember what it was like during the last war, when I was in school." He turned a slightly accusing eye on Dumbledore. "You're bringing in a lot of people from the old Order. Several of them have made threats against these children and their parents. They weren't safe here." "No one from the Order would attack children," Sirius said, his tone exasperated. "Yes, they would." Severus stood up straight, his fists clenching at his side. "Those on the side of light aren't very different from those on the side of the dark. Only our outlook is dissimilar. The methods are very much the same. If you think that people like Fletcher or Moody would hesitate for a second should the opportunity present itself for a little revenge against what these children's parents may or may not have done during the last war, then you're deluding yourself." Sirius growled and took a menacing step forward. "You pompous, little---" he began. "Where are they?" Dumbledore asked quickly, effectively cutting off anything more Sirius might say. Severus shook his head. "I'm not telling you." "Well, do their parents know where they are, at least?" Remus asked. Again, Severus shook his head. "No," he said. "Nobody knows, with the exception of myself and those who helped me move them to safe harbors. Even I'm not entirely sure where they all ended up. I just know for certain that they are safe." "Very well, Severus," Dumbledore said, frowning. "I can't say I'm pleased with this situation, nor can I imagine why you thought you had to go over my head. But, I suppose what's done cannot be undone." "Thank you, Headmaster," Severus replied. "Don't thank me yet," continued the older man. "Those that you moved out, you're certain they're not loyal to Voldemort?" "Absolutely," Severus said with a sharp nod. "So those who stayed are?" Sirius asked. Severus shot him a look. "No, not all of them," he snapped. "A few chose to remain, regardless of the danger and against my better judgment. Even the ones that think they are loyal to the Dark Lord... please try to remember that they are just children! You give up on them now and you've lost them forever." "The voice of experience," Remus said softly. Severus sighed again. "Very nearly so, yes." Dumbledore shook his head and ran a hand over his face. "Alright, Severus," said the old man tiredly. "Can you at least promise me you won't do this again?" "I don't think I could pull it off twice," Severus replied with just a hint of a smirk. McGonagall sniffed. "It's not amusing, young man," she said haughtily, then turned to look at Dumbledore. "What are we going to do now?" "The students are safe," the Headmaster declared, "now that we are certain that those who vanished did so under positive circumstances. Classes will continue as usual. I do not think the students need to be confined to the dorms any longer." "I'll go inform my House, then," McGonagall said with a nod, "and I'll instruct Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout to do the same." She turned a shrewd eye to the Potions Master. "I'm assuming you can take care of your own House, Severus?" she asked him, slightly sarcastic. "Oh, I think I can handle it," he replied, matching her tone perfectly. "Good," Dumbledore said. He turned to Sirius and nodded. Shooting one final glare at Severus, Sirius sank to all fours, morphing into his canine counterpart. "Remus, if you please," added the Headmaster, inclining his head towards the door. The werewolf undid the locking spell and the door swung open. Professor McGonagall, Remus, and Snuffles walked out of the office, Dumbledore following. He turned back and gave Severus a very pointed look. "Don't do something like this again," he warned him, his voice foreboding. Severus nodded and the Headmaster left, closing the door behind him. With a deep sigh, Severus recast the locking spell and once again activated the proximity orb on his desk. Sinking back down into his favorite armchair, Severus looked towards the door to his private lab. "You can come out now," he called to Draco. The door opened, squeaking loudly on its hinges. Draco hobbled out of the room, looking towards the exit of the office. "That could have gone worse," he mused, giving his Godfather a small, half-smile. "True," Severus conceded darkly. "I could be out on the steps of the castle with my possessions in a box." "Well, you aren't, so that's a victory, right?" Draco offered, trying to sound uplifting. Severus shrugged noncommittally. "Perhaps," he replied. "I just hope your father knows what he's doing." "He has a good track record for that sort of thing," the boy reminded him. He looked towards the door again. "I guess I should head back to the dorm, safe or not. It'll look suspicious if I don't." Severus pushed himself out of his chair. "I guess you should," he agreed. Draco nodded and started to limp his way out of the room, when Severus cleared his throat. "You know," he said, "you're looking a lot better." Draco looked back at his Godfather, then looked himself up and down. "I guess that's true, if you think contusions all over my body, a busted knee, and black eye are sexy," he said, gracing Severus with a confused look. The Potions Master gave a low chuckle and shook his head. "I didn't mean that," he explained. "I meant that you don't look as exhausted as you did. Are the dreams improving?" Draco swallowed hard and didn't look at his Godfather right away. "They were," he finally answered, "but last night's was really bad." Severus frowned. "The potion I gave you to improve your sleep is starting to wear off, no doubt," he said. "That's probably why you're losing control over the dreams again." "Maybe," Draco replied evasively. "I suppose tonight is as good as any to teach you how to make the potion," Severus continued. "It isn't very difficult and has few ingredients. Your standard base, crushed magroot, an infusion of wormwart, a few night-blooming laurel petals..." "We don't have any night-blooming laurel," Draco said, interrupting the list. Severus looked at him, furrowing his brow. "Pardon?" he asked. "We don't have any of that laurel," Draco repeated. "I did the inventory the day before yesterday, remember? I gave you the list." Severus reached down to his desk, moving a stack of ungraded essays out of the way before finally finding the clipboard Draco had handed him earlier, having completely forgotten about it what with everything that was happening. He flipped through the pages, frowning every now and again. "Damn," he muttered. "How come the usage counts never add up with the inventory?" Draco raised an eyebrow and Severus sighed. "I hate Gryffindors," said the older man, rolling his eyes and dropping the clipboard. "I just hope they don't blow something up." Draco laughed, then tilted his head in thought. "Professor Sprout has night-blooming laurel growing in Greenhouse D, doesn't she?" he asked. Severus nodded. "I believe she does." He leaned over his desk, pulling out a clean scrap of paper and lifting his quill. "I'll write you a note asking her for permission to borrow some," Severus said, scratching out a quick letter. "You'll have to get it after dark tonight." "That shouldn't be a problem. Nightfall isn't too far away. I'll just go get it before dinner," Draco said, taking the proffered note and slipping it into his pocket. Severus nodded, then paused a moment before walking rapidly around his desk. Mindful of the younger boy's injuries, he wrapped an arm around Draco's shoulder and pulled him into a quick hug. "Um, Severus?" Draco asked, slightly muffled, his face against his Godfather's chest. Severus stepped back out of the hug and ruffled Draco's hair. "Sorry," he said softly. "It's been a rough week. I look at you, at it feels like just yesterday I was carrying you around the Manor. I can't believe how grown-up your getting." Draco rolled his eyes upward and waved a hand over his head, the looked back at his Godfather. "I wouldn't be opposed to a few more inches," he informed him. Severus laughed. "I'm afraid heredity is working against you," he said with a smile. "You are so much like your mother - in build and in spirit." "Just what every teenage boy wants to be told," Draco replied dryly. Severus laughed again, then turned Draco around, opening the door and pushing him through it. "Get going, then," he said, "and be careful." "I always am," Draco called over his shoulder, then disappeared down the corridor. Severus leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, and shook his head, smiling slightly. * * * * * * The late afternoon sun beat down on Alastor Moody as he walked across the Hogwarts grounds. Even though it was mid-October, the air felt warm and humid and it was making him irritable. Finally, he made it to the castle steps, starting the trek into the ancient building, only to be blocked by a large, half-giant. "Hello, Hagrid," growled the Auror, trying to step around him. The half-giant looked down at him in surprise. "Moody!" he boomed. "Are you here 'ta meet with Dumbledore about the disappearances?" Moody blinked his good eye, the other spinning wildly around in its socket. "What are you talking about?" he asked, voice harsh. "Oh, I thought you knew," Hagrid mused, reaching up a hand to scratch his beard. "A lot of the Slytherin students disappeared this mornin'." Moody clenched his fists. "Which ones?" he asked shortly. Hagrid shrugged. "Parkinson, I know that. Crabbe, Goyle, Hethern, Willis... a lot of them," he replied. "Dammit!" Moody yelled. "Out of my way!" He pushed past the half-giant and rushed into the castle. Hagrid turned, watching him go, then shrugged again and continued on his way to his hut. * * * * * * Harry threw open the lid of his footlocker, digging through the junk on top, searching for something he desperately needed. Ron watched him from where he sat on his bed, a concerned expression on his face. It was only the two of them in the room, the rest of their dormmates hanging around with most of the House in the common room. "What are you looking for?" Ron asked, munching on a sandwich the house elves had brought him. "The Marauder's Map," Harry told him, giving a little shout of victory when he finally found the elusive piece of paper. Ron jumped off the bed and walked over to him, looking down at the blank sheet. Harry pulled his wand from his pocket and tapped it on the parchment. "I solemnly swear I'm up to no good," he said quietly and the map of the ground level wavered into view. "Who are we trying to find?" Ron said, squinting at the paper. Harry shook his head, but didn't reply, tapping the wand on the paper the go through the many floors of the school. Ron halted the movement, staring at the corridor that led to Professor Dumbledore's office. "Alastor Moody?" he read off the paper. "What's he doing here?" "I don't know," Harry said, continuing flipping through the levels. Finally, he stopped. "Found you," he muttered, nodding once and folding up the map. He rushed out of the room before Ron could even process what was going on. "Found who?" he called after Harry's retreating form, but his question went unanswered. * * * * * * Draco limped down the hall, a spring not necessarily in his step, but certainly in his heart. Professor Sprout had readily given permission to borrow some of the laurel, on the condition that Severus would give her a hand mixing a plant food potion she'd found but was having difficulty with. Professor Sprout and Severus got a long fairly well, mostly because the Potions Master held her craft in high respect, since the quality of potion components could make or break a difficult brew, while Professor Sprout was always pleased her plants were being used well. Without warning and hand reached out and grabbed Draco's arm, dragging him suddenly into an empty corridor. Draco gasped, feeling his knee twist painfully at the action. He looked around, trying to see who was responsible. "Harry?" he asked, meeting a set of furious green eyes. "I know what you did," Harry growled angrily. "I know Snape passed you a something during potions class yesterday and I know you were lying about where you were during the Quidditch game. Don't think I'm not going to tell Professor Dumbledore exactly what your role was in all of this." Draco shook his head, not liking where this was going. "Harry, please..." "I said not to call me that!" Harry yelled. "So where are they now, Malfoy? Are they all dead? Did they get in your way? Did you have to get rid of them?" "What?" Draco asked, incredulous. "Are you serious? Of course not! They're my friends!" "You don't even know what a friend is!" Harry snapped. "You helped drug us all so you could get rid of half of your House! Where are they, Malfoy?" "I don't know," Draco said shortly, crossing his arms over his chest. "Yeah, right," Harry said. "Like I can believe you!" "It's the truth!" Draco insisted. "I don't know where they are! All I know for certain is that they're safe!" "They were safe at Hogwarts," Harry countered. "You are so naive, Potter!" Draco shouted back. "You really have no concept of how the world works, do you?" "You're right!" Harry yelled. "I have no concept of how your world works! And I'm glad for it!" "Forget it." Draco turned around and walked out of the corridor. "Just, forget it Harry," he called over his shoulder. "You don't understand anything and you never will, so let's just forget everything!" "I'm telling Dumbledore what you did!" Harry shouted back to him. "Don't think I won't!" "Fine!" Draco replied in kind. "Do whatever you want!" He turned the corner and disappeared from view. Harry let out a low curse and took off in the opposite direction. A few moments later, Alastor Moody stepped out from where he'd been listening in from the shadows of another hallway, looking after Draco with an odd expression on his face. * * * * * * "Mudblood." The statue blocking the entrance to the Slytherin dorms hopped out of the way as Draco muttered the password, the blond carefully stepping through the archway and into the common room. The room was empty, with the exception of Blaise Zabini, who was sitting on one of the luxurious couches stretched out along the back wall, curled around a book. He looked up as Draco entered and flashed him a winning smile. "Hey, Drake," he said, scooting over a little as Draco collapsed tiredly next to him. "Where have you been all morning... or afternoon, rather?" "Hell." Draco closed his eye and propped his throbbing knee up on the coffee table set out before the couch, wincing a little at the motion. "Oh," Blaise replied, giving him a mild look. "I hear it's very nice this time of year." Draco sighed and opened his eyes, looking at his friend. "Blaise, can I ask you for some advice?" "You want to ask me for advice?" Blaise asked, surprised. "I don't think anyone's ever done that before!" "There's a first time for everything," Draco said, smiling a little. "Alright," Blaise said, sitting up and taking a deep breath. "Ask away." "Well," Draco began slowly, "suppose there's this person, who really likes this other person, well, not 'likes' exactly, but thinks they might like, maybe." "Okay..." Blaise scratched his head. "Want to try it again with clarity?" Draco ignored him. "Anyway, there are these two people and it looked like they might be starting to like each other, but these people are from very different worlds and the person the person likes is possibly involved with something that the person who likes him can't understand and gets angry and thinks that person has been lying the entire time. What should that person do about it?" "Now, let me get this straight," Blaise said after a few seconds. "There's a person, and for sanity's sake, I'm going to assume it's you, okay?" Draco nodded. "Alright, you like somebody, but they live in a very different world from you and they found out about...well," Blaise gestured to the empty common room and Draco nodded again, "so they think they can't trust you anymore and the two of you just had a big fight. Am I right?" "Pretty much," Draco said with a sigh. Blaise nodded sagely, then thought a moment. "When you say, 'different world,' how different are we talking?" he asked. Draco shrugged. "Very different. Different outlook on life, different ideas, different House..." "Is it a Gryffindor?" Blaise asked, trying to prevent himself from pulling a face at the idea. Draco nodded almost imperceptibly. Blaise let out a low whistle and sank back against the couch. "Oh, boy," he muttered. "Very good, Draco." "I didn't mean for it to happen!" Draco protested. "It just... did." "Well, who is it?" Blaise asked. Draco shook his head and the other boy rolled his eyes. "You might as well tell me," Blaise said. "I already know it's a Gryffindor. How much more embarrassing can it be?" "I'm not telling you," Draco said shortly. "Don't tell me it's Harry Potter?" Blaise chuckled. Draco sighed again and sank into the couch, closing his eyes. Blaise's eyes went wide as saucers. "Don't tell me it's Harry Potter!" he said again. Draco buried his head in his hands and moaned softly. "Ugh!" Blaise cried, jumping up from the couch. "Ugh! Gross! Yuck! Drake, no!" Draco raised his head and glared at his friend. "Blaise, you're not being supportive." "I know! It's just... it's..." The other boy threw his hands up in the air, then collapsed back on the couch. "You're right," he said tiredly. "I'm sorry. It's just... it took me by surprise, that's all." "Join the club," Draco said moodily. Blaise sighed again. "Okay, so... Harry Potter." His mouth twisted on the name, but he didn't make any further comment, which Draco was grateful for. "I can see why you're having problems." "Thanks." "No, seriously," Blaise continued. "Now, this is the way I see it. Relationships - lasting relationships - are built on one of two things. The first is money. Those are my parents. When I was a kid, my mother and father had so many lovers tramping through the house I wasn't even sure who my parents were!" "I remember that," Draco said with a smile. "Right," Blaise agreed. "Now, my parents are only together, in fact, only got together, because it was and remains a mutually profitable decision. The other is love. That is your parents." "I suppose that's true," Draco mused. "Of course it's true!" Blaise said happily. "I mean, your parents would still be in love even if, God forbid, they were living in a tiny shack with a dirt floor!" "God forbid," Draco warned him. "God forbid," repeated Blaise. "It doesn't matter that they probably met at some high society function, the point is..." "Actually," Draco interjected, "they met in a muggle jail." Blaise blinked. "They WHAT?" he gasped. Draco nodded. "Well, you see," he explained, "my father and some of his friends decided to slum it in the muggle part of town one night. They had gotten a little drunk he inadvertently started a bar fight after hitting on a woman who didn't appreciate it. He was arrested for disorderly conduct. He ended up with a broken jaw." "And your mother?" "Oh, well she was booked for assault after attacking a man in a bar and breaking his jaw." Blaise stared at Draco in shock. "Your mother..." he began slowly. "Your sweet, tiny, mother attacked your father after he hit on her, broke his jaw, and they were both arrested?" Draco smiled. "It was love at first punch." Blaise sat very still for a moment. "This explains a lot," he finally said. "It does?" "Yes," Blaise replied. "Your parents' relationship was originally founded on violence, yet it was that violence that led to love. Maybe that's why you're attracted to Harry. Your relations in the past have certainly been volatile enough." "Perhaps," Draco hedged, "but..." Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps coming down the stairs from the boys' dormitories. Bane Relesky, followed closely by several of his friends, marched into the common room, looking as evil and as intimidating as they ever did. Draco wasn't impressed. "Well, well, well," Bane said, looking at the two of them. "Isn't this cozy." "It was," Blaise snapped, glaring. "It's a pity you two didn't vanish with the rest of the squibs," Bane went on. He cracked his knuckles. "Maybe we should rectify that situation." "Maybe you should go stuff your head in a lit cauldron," Draco returned easily. Bane bristled. "I'm watching you, Malfoy," he said darkly, rudely leaning into Draco's personal space. "I know you're a part of this in some way. If you're thinking about betraying our Dark Lord, you'd better watch your step. Maybe you will just... vanish." "And if you would only do the same, my day would be complete," Draco quipped. Bane stood up straight and smirked. With a nod to his friends, the Slytherins started to make their way out of the common room to head to dinner. Bane paused on the way out, looking over his shoulder. "See you around, Malfoy," he said, still smirking, then disappeared out the door. Blaise sat back and sighed. "Ready to eat?" he asked Draco. The blond shook his head, gingerly rising to his feet, Blaise also rising and giving him a hand. "I have to do a favor for Professor Snape first," he informed his friend with a thankful nod as they walked slowly out of the common room, heading up the stairs leading out of the dungeon. After climbing what felt like forever to Draco, they finally reached the ground level landing. "Save me a seat?" Draco asked him, turning to go in the opposite direction from the Great Hall, needing to visit the greenhouses. "Will do!" Blaise told him, then walked off. Draco smiled after him, then turned to walk outside. * * * * * * The moon was nearly full overhead, the sky clear and filled with stars. Even from this distance, Draco could hear the owls just starting to wake up, hooting and squawking. A cool wind rushed across the ground and Draco shivered, pulling his robes tighter around him, thankful to have finally reached the greenhouses, uncomfortable with the chill. The glass door opened silently and a small orb filled with light at his entrance. He scanned the room, then saw the laurel, breathing a sigh of relief as he saw the pure white petals practically glowing in the dim light, glad that they were blooming. It didn't take long to gather a handful of the petals, scooping them easily into the small glass jar he'd brought with him. Sealing the jar tightly, he held it up to eye level and gave a swift nod, satisfied that he had enough. Pulling his robes around him again, he walked out of the greenhouse, turning to close the door behind him, looking forward to getting to dinner, Bane Relesky aside. Turning towards the castle, Draco gasped as a dark figure stepped out of the shadows, wand raised and pointing straight at his heart. The glass jar of laurel petals crashed to the ground, shattering into a thousand pieces. "Oh, Hell," Draco muttered, barely having enough time to instinctively raise his arms to shield his head. * * * * * * Harry moodily poked at his dinner, not feeling very hungry, his mind on Draco. He'd been two steps away from Dumbledore's office after their confrontation before he lost his nerve and had gone back to the Gryffindor common room. The questions whirled about in his head - Draco had sounded sincere. Maybe he wasn't lying. Maybe the missing students were okay. But, if Draco had been doing something to help his friends, why not let Dumbledore in on it? Harry wasn't sure what to think anymore. He looked over at the near-empty Slytherin table, frowning as he realized Draco wasn't there. With a heavy sigh, he dropped his fork on the table and pushed his plate away. "Are you okay, Harry?" Hermione asked him, looking worried. She'd seen him looking across the room and it troubled her. "Yeah, just not very hungry," Harry replied, standing up. "I think I'm just going to head back to the dorm." "You sure?" Ron asked, also concerned, especially after being witness to Harry's odd behavior just a few hours ago. "I'm sure," he said, walking around the table, heading towards the exit of the Hall. "I'll see you guys...." Harry trailed off, suddenly swaying on his feet, a hand dropping down to clutch the table, the other hand flying to the scar on his forehead. "Harry?" Ron asked with alarm, jumping to his feet, Hermione by his side. Harry didn't reply, his eyes wide and unfocused, his face pale and his breathing erratic. "Harry?" Ron asked again, stepping over to help his friend. Suddenly, Harry screamed, collapsing on the floor into a fetal position, his head buried in his arms. He screamed and screamed and kept right on screaming, even as half the school rose from their seats in alarm, Ron grabbing on to his arm, trying to help him, Madame Pomfrey rushing down from the teachers' table. He kept screaming until, just as suddenly, he stopped, eyes wide and glassy, limp as a rag doll on the floor. The hall, with the exception of the ghosts of Harry's agonized screams still echoing in the rafters, fell completely silent. A/N 2: Heh. Sorry to leave you hanging like this... oh wait... no I'm not. ^_^ Next Chapter: Aw, no next chapter. I think this is a good place to end it. *ducks* Okay, okay! Sheesh. Draco's been attacked, but who did it? Now that Harry is twitching about on the floor of the Great Hall, will the secret connection he's sharing with Draco come out? Also, find out what the most dangerous animal in the world is... All in the next chapter of "Breaking Destiny!" prologue, part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six, part seven, part eight, part nine, part ten, part eleven, part twelve back? |