My Gift To You

Chapter 16

Draco Malfoy snuck around late that night. He stuck to the shadows as he slid from one hallway to the next.

He moved quickly until he reached the Room of Requirement. He looked back to make sure he wasn't being followed.

He saw no one and entered.

***

Harry couldn't sleep. Something felt off. He got out of bed and decided on a walk.

As he walked along the hallway, he noticed something. He wasn't alone. Someone was walking up ahead, sticking to the shadows.

Harry looked closer. It was someone with...light blonde hair...Draco Malfoy.

He filled with anger. Why was Malfoy sneaking around? He had to find out.

He matched Draco's pace and movements. Sticking to the shadows so as to remain hidden. Draco disappeared around a corner.

Harry ran forward, not making a noise. He turned the corner, only to see Draco slip into the Room of Requirement.

Harry frowned. Why would he go in there? He moved forward, stopping outside the door.

He placed his ear against it. Malfoy was talking to someone. He frowned. Who would be there that time of night, speaking to Malfoy?

Harry listened closer. It was a female voice. His stomach dropped. He knew that voice. That irritating cackle.

Bellatrix LeStrange, Harry thought to himself.

His boy shuddered with rage. Draco was the informant. He did what he could not to barge in there. He would deal with Malfoy later.

Right now, he had to get to Dumbledore.

Harry burst into the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore looked up in question. He looked at Harry.

"Harry? What the hell is going on?" Dumbledore asked, noticing the boy's expression.

"It's Malfoy!" Harry said as he wheezed.

"What is?" Dumbledore asked, now confused.

"He's the informant!" Harry shouted as he caught his breath.

Dumbledore stumbled as if in surprise. He sat suddenly.

He knew it was someone close. He didn't expect it to be Draco Malfoy. Dumbledore sat thinking. He guessed it made sense.

Lucius was a death eater after all. He just didn't know Draco was in on it too.

Dumbledore stood. He looked at Harry.

"What are we going to do?" Harry asked as he looked at his headmaster.

"I don't know, Harry. Severus being his godfather complicates things. And he already doesn't think well of the boy as it is," said Dumbledore as he walked to stand next to him.

"I hope Snape kills him," said Harry darkly.

"Harry! You can not say that," said Dumbledore as he looked at his favorite student.

"Why not? He's a spy! A disappointment," argued Harry as he stood.

"I understand your point, Harry. But even though he is, I doubt death is the best soliton, " said Dumbledore as he walked to pet Forkes.

Harry followed him. He sighed. Dumbledore had a point. But he wasn't seeing the danger. It was Hermione they were talking about!

"But, Sir, it's for Hermione. Her safety. Bree's too," said Harry softly.

"Bree?" Dumbledore asked.

"Oh, they decided on a name," said Harry with a blush.

"I see," said Dumbledore, now amused," and you care for her?"

"Hermione? Yeah. Bree? She did nothing wrong. It's not her fault her father is an idiot," said Harry with a shrug.

Dumbledore smiled.

"As much as I'm against you calling one of my professors an idiot, I can see your point," said Dumbledore as Forkes rubbed his head against his hand.

Harry sighed as Dumbledore walked back to his desk. Harry walked to Forkes, who looked at him expectantly.

He rubbed the phoenix's head lovingly. He had spent so much time with the bird during his years.

"Candy?" Dumbledore asked as he reached for some.

Harry shook his head. Forkes chirped happily at the attention.

"Might I ask why you were out of bed in the first place, Harry?" Dumbledore asked after a long silence.

"I couldn't sleep, Sir. So I went for a walk," Harry said as he continued to pet Forkes.

"I see. Well I suppose we have to tell Minerva about all this. I'm not so sure if we should tell Severus. Not yet," said Dumbledore.

Harry turned to face him.

"Why not? He should know who it is," said Harry as Forkes nipped him for stopping.

He returned his hand to the bird's head.

"Severus is in a bad place. He worries about Hermione. She is having a rather stressful pregnancy, " Dumbledore answered.

"I get that. But if I had someone trying to kill my child and the person I loved, I'd want to know," said Harry in return.

Dumbledore sighed. Harry was right. Severus had to know. Though what he would do to Malfoy...that was uncertain.

He stood to join Harry.

"I will tell Severus. But not now. All will come in time," said Dumbledore as he lay his hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Time that we might not have, Sir. We need to make a move," Harry reasoned.

"I know. I highly doubt Malfoy would do anything now. I must wonder if he knew about Hermione being pregnant when he started attacking her earlier this year," said Dumbledore thoughtfully.

"If so, how did he know it was Snape's child?" Harry asked.

"I do not know, Harry. Perhaps truth serum would be needed," said Dumbledore with a sigh.

"I thought only the Ministry could make use of it?" Harry questioned his headmaster as he dropped his hand to his side.

"Yes," said Dumbledore slowly,"but I think this counts as an emergency. Severus would make it without the knowledge of anyone. And he would be more than willing to use it."

Harry nodded in thought. Snape might be a pain in the ass. But Hermione loved him. He was doing it for her safety. 

If that helped then Harry could overlook the Potions master being an asshole. Ron might even be able to as well.

Harry thought about it for a while. He said goodnight to the Headmaster and left for his dorm.

As he lay on his bed, he had a thought.

Maybe Snape wasn't so bad after all...maybe he did some good...maybe Harry could learn to live with him...