The Boy The Snake and The Stone

Chapter 33: A helping friend

The quietness of the hall made everything seem so loud; the knock on the door seemed ten times louder than what it should have been. The creak of the door swinging open should have been heard all over the school, but yet the whisper of a hissing voice that came from in the room was such a strain to hear. Harry was the first one to walk in, but both Gemma and Draco stood outside the door unsure. They were snakes and hid their fear well on the walk up to this point, but everything in them screaming to run away, that there was something dangerous inside. It was the fight-or-flight response going on in their minds, and everything was screaming to run as far as their legs could take them. Harry turned around, his bright green eyes, hidden behind his glasses, that broke the trance that they were in. Yes, this is why they were here, a friend had come to them for help, and a snake will always help another. Taking a deep breath, Gemma places a hand on Draco's shoulder, leading the smaller snake into the den; when they reached Harry, Gemma places her other hand on the small first year, giving him a shaky smile.

Harry understood what his friends where doing; fighting everything in their bodies, just to help him out. He couldn't have asked for better friends, they were showing the bravery of a lion, the loyalty of a badger, but the intelligence of the raven by knowing the danger they were walking into. This is what made a snake, what made them so cunning was that they would stick close to one another, looking out for every little snake as possible and striking when the times was right. This is why they are feared, for they were smart enough to wait, they were brave when the time was right, they would loyal as one could be to each other, always in the dark waiting to see what is to come. Harry returned Gemma's smile, hoping that it would give her some strength for what was to come.

"Welcome my young snakes~" The Dark Lords voice filled the room, he was hidden from the prying eyes of the snakes hiding within the shadows of the room; unwilling to let his loyal followers see what he has become.

Draco face went whiter than what is already was; Gemma let a small gasp pass her lips. Being children of other dark followers, of course they have heard about the Dark Lord and what he could do.

"Good evening, my Lord," The title rolled off the older snake's tongue, her voice barely above a whisper out of fear of angering the man, that could easily defeat the Light lord if he wanted to. Draco couldn't get words out of his dry mouth, his eyes wide with fear of what could possibly happen right now.

A dark chuckle echoed around the room, "Children there is nothing to be afraid of right now, I am not about to harm you. Please take a seat." The soft eerier voice said, three seats appearing out of nowhere. Harry took his seat his back straight, but more relaxed than his friends; his friends looked like they had a rod taped to their backs, their face pure white with fear. "I think that Harry has already provided you all the information and you know why you are here. I must say that I am impressed, a lot of others would have run away at the door rather than face a Dark Lord for their friend. Do not worry young ones; I will not hurt you... No I will let you help little Harry, so that he will not fail his small mission. Harry, I am happy to see who you have chosen, their families where great allies to the Dark, you have chosen well. But first, before we move on any further, I must get vows from you two that anything that is said in this room will never be spoken to others. To ensure success for the Dark side; once that is done, I will put a block in your mind so that fool of a headmaster will never know what we have said. Any questions?" The Dark Lord asked, causing the young Slytherins to shake their heads. "Alright children I need a vow, I would ask for the Unbreakable, but for now a vow on your magic will work."

Gemma quickly stood up taking her wand out, "I, Gemma Lee Farley, swear on my magic that I will do everything in my power to help Harry Potter on the quest that the Dark Lord has set in front of him. I also swear that I will not give out any information regarding what was spoken or will be spoken of without permission from the Dark Lord himself or Harry. So mote it be."

The Dark Lord grinned wickedly at her from his dark corner. "Well done Gemma, and wisely worded as well. Now for you, ahh yes, you look so much like you father Draco." Draco could not hold back the whimper that tore through his throat when he heard the Dark Lord speak his name; it sent shivers down his spine hearing his name hissed in such a manner.

Draco stood, even though his legs were trembling and they barely held him up, removing his wand with trembling fingers, the lump in his throat tightening as he felt the eyes, of what to seem to be the dead upon him. "I-I, Draconis Lucius Malfoy, swear upon my magic that I will do everything in my power to help Harry Potter on his quest, set before him by the Dark Lord. I swear that anything that I have been told regrading today, or in the foreseeable future, without permission from the Dark Lord or Harry himself. So mote it be." The second he was done his body gave out, and he collapsed bonelessly into the chair. He felt like he walked the valley of Death with nothing with him for support.

"Well done Draco, your Father would be proud of you, I just know it. Now for everything that is to be done, is quite simple. As you know we are after the stone that is here within the walls of this school; but that old fool has it under lock and key, of course I can get to it myself, but I feel like this would be a good chance to test our young Mr. Potter to see what side he really is on. Harry already knows all this; I must say that he is not happy with being tested by not only myself, but also the stupid headmaster of yours." Harry stiffened at what he heard. He didn't think that the Dark Lord knew of his dislike due to being forced into something like this, or that he was very unhappy that the Dark Lord was being just like the headmaster. The Dark Lord, picking up on Harry's uneasiness said, "Yes, young snake, I knew from the beginning that you were not happy with this, but this is the only way to know what side you truly on, if you are willing to turn your back to the light, or turn your back to the dark. This is a test to show your true colors." Harry just gave the Dark Lord a nod, knowing there was nothing to say in his defense seeing as the Dark Lord could easily read him like a book. "Where was I, ah yes, I will give you a sign when it is time for you to act. I will not tell you what it is, you must keep your eyes and ears open so that you will know, it could be at any moment. I will let you three begin planning the way you want to go about this, since it is your mission, but no asking me for help." The three young snakes nodded to the Dark Lord in understanding. "Very good children, now seeing that everyone understands, I will let you three get to planning everything. Let's hope that you do not fail me at this." Hearing the dismissal, all three students jumped out of their chairs and more or less ran out of the room. Of course, all snakes would deny something like that if asked about it directly. The Dark Lord smiled darkly at the retreading figures. All there is now is to wait and plan.