Twist of Fate

Chapter 15

They woke with a crash when the sofa transfigured back into the bench. Harry rolled off the bench and landed hard on Draco. They looked at each other and laughed. "That's never happened before." Draco drawled as he rubbed his head where it had banged on the stone floor.

"Sure gives us a better idea on how long the transfiguration lasts. It is nearly midnight." Harry got up stiffly. His body ached from falling asleep on the narrow sofa.

"Can't believe I fell asleep, meant to stay awake. We have to get back to the dorms. Are you going to have any problems getting in?" Draco asked. "I can just say I was on patrol."

Harry shrugged, "I'll make something up, chances are everyone will be asleep by now."

"Are you okay?" Draco asked.

"About Snape, and all?" Harry nodded, "Yea, I guess."

"Well, fortunately with Easter hols coming up we don't have to worry about seeing him for another week. Give him time to cool down."

Harry looked at Draco who was straightening his robes. "About Easter. Do you have to go home? Can't you stay here? Most fifth years are staying to study for the O.W.L.s" Harry asked hesitantly. He didn't want to have the same argument that they had before summer break last year, but he didn't want Draco going back to Malfoy Manor either.

"I have to," Draco looked down at his textbook that he was stuffing into his book-bag, "My mother. I need to make sure she is okay."

"Can't she leave?" Harry asked, "What if she met you in London or somewhere?"

"As if my father would ever let her leave his sight." Draco said with a bitter laugh. "The only time she can leave is when he puts a tracer on her so that he knows exactly where she is at all times."

"But can't you ask for help?" Harry asked quietly,

"From whom? Snape? Dumbledore? Snape isn't going to lift a finger to help us now and Dumbledore is gone. Even if I could, my mother would refuse. I tried last summer, even though it was nearly impossible to talk to her alone. Father always has a house elf watching over her. He says it is to see to her every need but I know it is just to spy on her."

"What if they don't let you come back? Or try to do something? If Voldemort is seeing as much into my head as I am his..."

"We don't know that, not for sure. And besides, what is the worst they can do to me?" Draco shrugged. "Father might think of Mother and me as his own playthings to torment but he wouldn't let anyone else have a go at us."

"What about your aunt and her husband? They are family and...evil." Harry asked quietly, "I saw what they did to Neville's parents."

Draco ran a hand through his hair, "What am I supposed to do? What would you do? If your mother was trapped in a house with a bunch of power hungry wizards? Would you send her an owl and tell her you weren't coming home anymore? I don't think so."

Harry wanted to lie and say that he wouldn't do it, but knew that Draco wouldn't believe him even if he said it. "Okay, I won't say anything more about you not going home. But just be careful and stay out of the way. And let's think of a way to try and convince her to leave."

Draco shook his head, "I've tried, Harry, I have. She is too scared and it's been too long. I don't think she'll ever go and if she doesn't then I don't. I am all she has; I'm not going to abandon her."

Harry shuddered at the thought of what the worst Voldemort and his Death Eaters could come up with. "Well, send a message on the coin if you need help."

"And, what exactly would you do?" Draco looked at him in amused disbelief, "Storm the Manor? Stop worrying about it. I'll be fine. C'mon, it's late. We have to get back to our dorms." Harry tried to smile but couldn't quite manage it. He put his arms around Draco. "Sorry, I ruined things with Snape again."