Home To You (a Draco Malfoy Love Story)

The Unforgivable Curse

"I've repaired the Vanishing Cabinet, and placed it in the Room of Requirement. There is a matching one in Borgin and Burkes, which you'll use to enter the school. Yaxley will meet Severus at Dumbledore's office, while the Carrows and I stand watch at the Astronomy tower - we'll be able to see where they go. Dumbledore and Potter will return at 11, and we'll convene on their location once they do. We'll enter the room - Snape will handle Potter, while I take care of Dumbledore. Afterward, we'll be able to escape on the brooms that we stash outside of the Astronomy Tower, and none will be the wiser." Draco hoped he had sounded confident in his plan, as he internally prepared for the Dark Lord to see through his facade instantly. Instead, he smiled.

"Draco! I am very impressed. Repairing the vanishing cabinet was a stroke of genius. Are there any issues with this plan? Severus, you know the school best."

"I agree, the vanishing cabinet will work. However, I am concerned about Draco's ability to lead at the school afterwards if the word gets out that he's the one who kills Dumbledore. I only know that we need Draco on his post at Hogwarts next year. Draco, I know that this is a sacrifice, but would you consider allowing me to... do the honors? Not that you aren't capable, of course, but this protects you from being killed in retaliation by another student. Consider the good of us all over your ego," Snape said, slowly.

"Always thinking, Severus. Yes, Draco, I think that we'll have Severus handle the deed. However, we know you're the one behind the operation," the Dark Lord said. Draco felt an immense sense of relief. Snape had the Dark Lord in the palm of his hand. He nodded.

"Very well."

"Another thought - while we have access to Hogwarts, why not let Fenrir join? It is a full moon." Draco was horrified at the thought of Mel trapped in the castle with a werewolf.

"What if he's to injure some of the students on our side? You know how he gets when he's transformed," Draco said. Fenrir snarled at him.

"I can tell the difference, boy. You forget yourself." Draco stopped himself. The Dark Lord smiled.

"Draco, I'm impressed. You've made me proud, today," the Dark Lord said, touching Draco's palm with his hand. Suddenly, Draco felt him trying to enter his thoughts, and he turned once again to Christmas Eve at Malfoy Manor. The Dark Lord moved away, apparently satisfied. "I see the girl is still always on your mind. Will she be joining you?"

"She will be otherwise occupied," Draco said stiffly.

"What a shame. Very well then. In two days, then." And with that, he disappeared into a flash of black. The others followed, leaving only he and Snape alone.

"Are you going to be able to follow through?" Snape asked. Draco thought again of Christmas Eve, and children with dark hair. He nodded.

"Yes. Though I am worried about Potter. He's going to tell everyone the truth."

"We must trust Albus when he says that Harry will obey. Although you may need to smooth things over with him after we all escape," Snape said. Draco nodded. He didn't want to tell Snape, but he had significant doubts as to if he would be able to follow through. The idea of killing Dumbledore had not gotten more palatable. As much as he tried to convince himself that this was the only way to get the future he wanted - or any future at all - he knew that even after he killed Dumbledore, the odds were still slim. They still involved his defying death again and again. But as he snuck back into the castle via the vanishing cabinet, he knew that he didn't have a choice.

"Professor, you wanted to see me?" Draco asked, as he entered Dumbledore's office the following night.