𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒

Chapter 20

Arthur left to go back home after speaking momentarily to Dumbledore. He opened the door allowing the two boys to enter after him, giving them a cheery goodbye.

Draco and Harry sat silently in the twin chairs before the old Headmaster, waiting for him to say something after Draco's story.

"Well, it seems you've had an interesting disappearance," Dumbledore stated with a slight grin. He knew the boy had it in him to become a white wizard and not one with the dark, although it had been a close call. Even the old man, who was very good at reading others and their intentions, had been mystified at times as to what the Malfoy heir would eventually become. It seemed the father's brutal punishments had driven the boy away from him rather than cow him.

"Yes," Draco agreed. "So now I cast my lot in with you. I'll tell you all I know, which is not as much as you'd think being the son of one of the top Death Eaters. I wasn't in the inner circle by any means, but I heard and saw things, things I probably wasn't supposed to."

"Indeed," Professor Snape's voice drawled out from behind the two seated teens.

The two boys turned in their seats, surprised the Potions Professor had been able to sneak up behind them so casually, especially since he was hobbling in on a cane.

"I'm afraid Professor Snape has had a close call," Dumbledore explained to the curious looks he was receiving from the two boys. "He's lucky to have escaped with his life."

"It seems my loyalty to the Dark Lord was in question," Snape finished cryptically. "Are you okay?" Draco questioned, a bit worriedly.

Snape nodded his head a small grin turning up the corners of his lips. "Yes, I have allayed his concerns," the Potions Master stated. "And you, Draco? You seem well."

"Yeah, for now I guess," Draco replied.

"And on that note," Dumbledore began, "we need to find Mr. Malfoy a place to stay. His return and the subsequent knowledge of his defection will certainly come to light, so staying in the Slytherin dorms would not be conductive to his safety."

"He could stay in Gryffindor tower," Harry offered.

Draco snorted. "I don't think so, all that red clashes terribly with my skin tone."

"That's not feasible either," Snape interjected. "I doubt if any in the tower would welcome Draco to their bosom. He would be in jeopardy there as well."

Harry pulled a sour face, but seeing the reaction that the blonde had received at the Weasleys, especially from Ron, made him agree.

"Draco will be staying with me," Snape informed them. "I can keep a close eye on him and his safety will be guaranteed."

"But yours won't," Draco interjected. "I'm sure the Dark Lord, not to mention my father, will be totally thrilled that you have a traitor in your rooms."

Snape gave the blonde boy a curious look. 'Since when has Draco cared about the safety of others over himself?' he pondered.

"The boy is correct," Dumbledore stated. "That's why I'm giving you your own room here in the castle close to my own. But before that, and I really hate to do this, its just procedure you understand," the Headmaster confided, reaching into his desk and pulling out a vial of Veritaserum. "I'll need you to allow us to question you after you drink this."

"You don't trust him?" Harry questioned irritably. After all that Draco had been through, they thought he was lying.

"It's not a matter of trust, Mr. Potter," Snape interjected before Dumbledore could smooth over Harry's ruffled feathers. "This way we will be certain that any information Draco tells us is accurate."