𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐇 | 𝐓𝐇𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 1

Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen-Hogwarts Eternal

They all apparated to Hogsmeade and walked up the long path to Hogwarts. No one said a word. Draco was weary to the bone and Dumbledore expected him to teach classes today? He wondered how the old wizard had the strength.

They reached the Great Hall where they could all hear the students assembled and eating their breakfasts. Dumbledore turned to them. "How about a bite, gentlemen?"

"I couldn't eat a thing," said Draco, feeling a little sick.

"Nevertheless," said Dumbledore. He pushed open the huge wooden doors and motioned Harry and Draco in ahead of him. They all strode in down the center aisle and suddenly the conversations dropped and silenced. Dumbledore took his place at the center of the head table and rubbed his hands together. "I think sausage and kidneys this morning. I'm famished."

Harry and Draco broke off to go their separate ways and Draco nearly fell into his seat. He scooped up several pieces of toast and dumped them on his plate but he made no move to eat them. He made a sidelong glance at McGonagall who was staring at him as usual. She poured him some pumpkin juice and slid the goblet toward him. "I've charmed this," she said quietly. "It's got a kick to it now. It looks like you could use it."

He stared up at her surprised but took the goblet. She was actually smiling at him. He cautioned a glance at Sprout and she, too, looked a little contrite. Word sure traveled fast in the Wizarding world. "Thanks...Minerva."

She patted his hand. "Think nothing of it, Draco."

He sipped and the charm-like a double espresso-immediately worked its magic through his system, and he was instantly more alert. He looked up and caught sight of the Slytherin table. Antonia Adams was staring open-mouthed at Draco. He snarled his best malevolent smile at her.

* * *

In potions, the first years filed in and Draco took his place in his chair waiting for them all to take their seats. If anything, they were all more nervous on this second day because they had heard about all of last night's events. When they settled, Draco rose and walked deliberately toward Antonia and stood over her. "It's clear to me nothing is going to get done today or ever if I don't talk about last night...and, I guess, myself."

All eyes fixed on Draco. It didn't look like any students were breathing.

He stared down at Antonia but she was studying her potions book cover as if it bore some secret message only she could decipher.

"I was arrested last night because I was suspected of being a Death Eater again." He unbuttoned the cuff on his left arm and slowly rolled up the sleeve. "As you surely know, I was stupid enough to get myself involved with Voldemort." He showed them his left arm, the faint Dark Mark still evident. Eyes enlarged as they looked. "It was more than stupid. It was incredibly selfish and wrong. He'd threatened the lives of my parents and so I tried to follow his orders, but in the end he killed them anyway. That's what evil is. It doesn't care who you are or what you are, whether you are a Pureblood, a Half-blood, or a Muggle. It's all about hate and ignorance and selfishness. And if I could change the past, I never would have done it. Harry Potter not only saved the Wizarding world, he saved me. He taught me to care and that it was my wrong way of thinking that was to blame. So last night I was a dupe in someone else's fantasy of what good fun it was to despoil Muggles. These stupid lunatic Death Eaters wanted me as their new Dark Lord."

A few students gasped. Antonia kept her eyes down.

"And I could have done it. They wanted me. They were ready. They wanted to kill Professor Potter and they could damn well have done it. So why didn't it happen? Because I said 'no' to them. Because I knew it was the wrong thing to do. Because I l-respect Professor Potter and would never hurt him. That's what you saw, Adams, and that's what you heard-though I wonder myself what it is you were doing out of bed at that hour. I should give you a detention for it, but I'm feeling a bit magnanimous this morning because I was cleared of all charges by the Wizengamot. And if I weren't, Headmaster Dumbledore would certainly not restore me to my post to teach you. I'd be in Azkaban right now where some people think I should have been all along. So." He took a deep breath. "Are there any questions? And...I mean it, this time. I think you should ask questions. Ask plenty of questions. Don't let your imagination run away."

No one spoke for a long span, until a very small voice broke the silence. "I'm...I'm very sorry, Professor. I...I was scared. I didn't really know what was going on, I guess."

He looked down at Antonia. "And you didn't like me much to begin with." She shrugged. "I'm not looking for you to like me. It's not required. I'm here to teach you potions. You'll need to know them. That's all I ask. That you allow me to teach you." He turned his back on them to go to the podium. He faced away from them long enough to wipe the sweat from his upper lip and then he turned back to the class, rolling down the sleeve of his left arm. "Turn to page seventy-four and we'll review the Shrinking Potion."

* * *

Harry flooed to Draco's rooms that night, and though Draco tried to open a conversation (they hadn't talked since that morning) Harry wasn't allowing much talking.

Later, when they were sitting up in Draco's bed propped against the pillows, Draco turned to Harry. "Is it all right if we talk now?" There was a sarcastic lilt to his tone, but it wasn't meant nastily.

Harry smiled. "Yeah. For a bit anyway. Until I've recovered and we can start again." Draco reddened. He didn't think after all this time they spent together Harry could still make him blush, but it seemed to happen when Draco was feeling particularly vulnerable. Like now. "As a matter of fact," Harry went on, "I heard an interesting rumor today that you told all your classes about last night."

"I did. I thought it best to clear the air or we'd never get anything done."

"Do you think that was wise? I mean, we should always maintain the proper distance from the students."

Draco shook his head and took Harry's hand. "It needed to be done."

Harry sat back and stared up into the bed's canopy. He tightened his hold on Draco's hand. "And so Hogwarts simply goes on."

"Yup. Teachers come and go. Get arrested and released, and Hogwarts continues."

"As it always had and always will."

Draco looked at Harry, looked at his hand in his. "Do you suppose fifty years from now we'll be grizzle-bearded old wizards still teaching classes here and holding hands in bed?"

"I hope we won't be too old to hold more than hands."

"Why Potter. You're such a naughty boy." He leaned close to Harry and Harry turned to him. Draco scoured Harry's face with his gaze, taking in dark brows, green eyes, black-rimmed glasses, and his smile. Draco pressed further and planted his lips on that smile, until Harry's mouth conformed to his in a deep kiss.

To Draco, there was no magic as powerful as this moment.

The End