Shadows of Redemption

Chapter 23: A Whisper in the Shadows

Harriet's POV

The moment Voldemort turned away, I felt the crushing weight of relief settle over both Draco and me, but I knew we couldn't relax. Every nerve in my body was still on high alert, my ears straining to catch any whisper or sound that might signal more danger. I stayed perfectly still, hidden in the bag, my heart pounding in my chest.

Draco's hands were trembling slightly, and I could feel his anxiety radiating through the fabric of the bag. He kept his head bowed, his expression carefully neutral as he moved to the side of the room, blending in with the other Death Eaters. He couldn't afford to draw any more attention to himself-or to me.

Voldemort continued to speak, his voice smooth and commanding as he laid out his plans for Hogwarts. Every word made my blood run cold, and I wished more than ever that I could transform back into myself and do something, anything, to stop him. But for now, we had to listen, to learn what we could, and prepare for whatever lay ahead.

"Severus," Voldemort called, his voice slicing through the tension in the room. Snape stepped forward, his dark eyes impassive, his expression as unreadable as ever. "You will be responsible for ensuring that Draco fulfills his duties. I trust you will keep him in line."

Snape inclined his head, his face betraying nothing. "Of course, my Lord," he said smoothly. His gaze flickered briefly to Draco, and I wondered what he was thinking. Did he suspect the turmoil that Draco was hiding beneath his calm facade? Did he know how close we were to breaking?

Voldemort's smile was a cold, cruel thing. "Excellent," he said. "I expect nothing less than success. Remember, failure will not be tolerated."

The threat hung heavy in the air, and I felt Draco's shoulders tense. But he didn't respond, didn't flinch. He had learned to hide his fear well, even when faced with the most terrifying of all enemies.

Draco's POV

The meeting felt like it dragged on for hours, every second stretching into an eternity. Voldemort's plans for Hogwarts were insidious, and the weight of my responsibility pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. I couldn't afford to fail. If I did, it wouldn't just be me who suffered. It would be my family, my mother... and Harriet.

I kept my head down, trying to memorize every detail, every instruction. When Voldemort finally dismissed us, I had to fight the urge to flee. I moved carefully, quietly, slipping out of the drawing room and into the dimly lit corridors of the Manor. The tension in my chest began to ease, but only slightly.

Once I was far enough away from the others, I ducked into a side corridor and leaned against the wall, exhaling shakily. Harriet shifted in the bag, and I gently opened it, allowing her to peek out. Her green eyes were wide, full of worry, but there was also a fierceness there that steadied me.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "I shouldn't have brought you into that. It was too close."

Harriet let out a soft, reassuring trill, and I felt a wave of warmth wash over me. She wasn't blaming me; she was with me, every step of the way. Her courage was contagious, and I knew I had to be strong-for both of us.

I reached out to touch her, my fingers brushing over her fur. "We learned a lot, though," I said, trying to focus on the positives. "Voldemort's plans for Hogwarts... they're bigger than I thought. We need to warn Hermione and Ron. They have to know what's coming."

Harriet nodded, her eyes bright with determination. I closed the bag again, making sure she was secure, and straightened. The danger hadn't passed, but we had to keep moving. We had to use every moment we had left to prepare.

Back in the safety of the guest room, I closed the door behind me and carefully set the bag on the bed. Harriet jumped out, shaking herself and stretching, and I couldn't help the small, tired smile that crossed my lips. Even as a Kneazle, she managed to exude a sense of strength and resolve that I admired.

"We need to contact Hermione and Ron again," I said, my voice low. "They need to know that Voldemort is planning something big at Hogwarts, and Snape has been tasked with making sure I carry it out. If we can figure out what he's planning, maybe we can stop it."

Harriet's ears perked up, and she leapt onto the table, where the communication mirror lay. Her readiness to act bolstered my own courage, and I picked up the mirror, tapping it with my wand.

The glass shimmered, and after a tense moment, Hermione's face appeared. Her eyes widened when she saw me, and she immediately leaned closer. "Draco," she said, her voice urgent. "What happened? Are you alright?"

I took a deep breath. "I'm fine," I said, though the words felt like a lie. "But Voldemort is making his move. He's planning something for the start of the school year, and he's expecting me to play a key role. Snape is involved too. We don't have much time."

Hermione's eyes hardened with resolve, and Ron appeared beside her, his expression serious. "What's the plan, then?" Ron asked, his voice steady but tense. "How do we stop this?"

I looked at Harriet, who was watching intently, and felt a surge of determination. "We work together," I said. "We gather information, prepare for anything, and find a way to fight back. Whatever it takes."

Hermione nodded, her eyes fierce. "We'll be ready," she said. "Just make sure you both stay safe until we're back at Hogwarts."

The mirror went dark, and I set it down, my hands no longer trembling. Harriet hopped down from the table and rubbed against my leg, her silent way of reminding me that we were in this together.

"We'll get through this," I whispered, my voice steadier now. "We have to."

And as the shadows of Malfoy Manor closed in around us, I clung to that hope, refusing to let it go.