𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐒𝐎 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒

Chapter 5

Chapter Number/Total: 5/44
Chapter Title: Gruesome Intent

"... after the messy and rather unsettling incident. Ministry officials were called immediately to the scene, and it has now been confirmed that a gang of rogue goblins were behind the crimes."

Harry sighed, reaching his hand out to switch off the wireless. It was rather sad that he didn't have much else to do but listen to the news. Perhaps he would go up and see what Draco was doing in the lab.

"We've just received breaking news," the voice from the wireless announced suddenly, sounding excited. Harry's hand was on the little knob, and he paused. "Death Eater Rodolphus Lestrange has been proclaimed dead."

Harry's eyes widened. Had he heard that correctly?

"Once again Rodolphus Lestrange is dead. Lestrange, accused of the recent abduction of both Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, as well as many other crimes, was found early this morning, severely mutilated in an empty cell of Azkaban prison, where he was being held. Images here are tremendously gruesome, obviously a murder of intent. Lestrange's trial was set to take place in only a few more weeks. His brother, Rabastan Lestrange, was also involved in the -" But Harry was no longer listening. He tore out of the kitchen, taking the stairs two at a time.

"Draco!" he called when he'd reached the upper parts of the house. "Draco!"

Draco was measuring out Re'em blood and trying to ignore everything else so that he wouldn't add too much and ruin the potion. He heard his name yelled and scowled.

"Draco!" Harry yelled again, finally making it to the lab. He swung the door open, panting. "Draco."

"This had better be good," Draco snapped, holding the spoon carefully as he turned his head to look at Harry.

Harry ignored the attitude. "He's dead," he announced. "Lestrange is dead."

Draco dropped the spoon. Ignoring the spilt blood and the bubbling cauldron in front of him, he turned to look in confusion at Harry. "What?"

"I just heard," Harry said, still unused to the idea himself. "It was on the wireless. He was killed - murdered in Azkaban."

Draco stood perfectly still, staring at Harry. His mind was racing and his heart with it.

"He's dead, Draco," Harry said, wondering if Draco had heard him. He smiled excitedly. "Don't you know what that means? He can't have a trial if he's dead."

Draco nodded. He felt ... numb. "No, I suppose he can't."

Harry was confused. He stood in the doorway, staring. "He ... can't," he said, feeling the excitement dying out.

Draco's hands dropped to his sides. He vaguely thought that this should make him happy, but he also realised that the damage was done. He was still ... well, he still felt ... used. And people still knew.

Harry stared at Draco for a few seconds longer. "Well, I ... thought I would just ... let you know," he said.

"Yes," Draco said, still in a voice that he would swear didn't even sound like his own. He wanted to do something, anything, but he felt almost paralysed.

"Um," Harry said quietly, feeling awkward. "I guess I'll just ... go ... back downstairs now."

"No," Draco said, and then when he opened his mouth to continue, he found himself stuck again, not knowing what to say.

Harry raised an eyebrow, waiting.

Draco frowned but then lifted his wand, turning and dousing the flame on the cauldron before dispelling its contents and the spilt blood. Then he turned back to Harry.