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Covered in Crimson	By : ckllsdam Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female > Draco/Hermione Views: 13989 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the Harry Potter Universe and I make no money from this work of fanfiction. The plot, however, is mine.

Chapter List
- 16
- 17
- 18
Four Years and Three Months Ago

The first term of sixth year was coming to a close, and Draco Malfoy had only achieved one of the three missions given to him at the conclusion of his marking ceremony. Severus Snape and Hermione Granger still lived, but Draco had claimed more success in his role as a spy for the Dark Lord. He had used his keen skills of observation along with his natural curiosity to develop unwitting sources and gather unexpected intelligence about the activities of the Order of the Phoenix and the so-called Golden Trio. He had successfully uncovered � and laid waste to � �Dumbledore�s Army� just two weeks before they were scheduled to depart for another Yule break. There had been a handful of small, but bloody battles between members of the DA and Voldemort�s loyal supporters-in-residence that had severely injured no fewer than a dozen classmates, some to the point that their wounds would impair them for years to come. That there were no immediate deaths among the group was pure, dumb luck.

In leading the series of attacks against the students who were loyal to Dumbledore, Draco had nearly exposed himself as a Death Eater. He had made a blatant attempt on the life of Hermione Granger two days earlier as she�d patrolled Hogwarts� halls alone, thwarted only by the unexpected and timely arrival of Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. He had not used magic in his attack, and had worn a hooded cloak that had concealed his identity particularly as he�d grabbed her from behind. No traceable magic and no eyewitness identification meant that he�d escaped detection yet again. There was no way to tell that the hand prints around her neck belonged to the gloved Draco Malfoy.

This event had led to the new decree that all Prefects would patrol in pairs, with at least one male in each dyad. Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom had gone one step further and had taken it upon themselves to ensure that the young witch was escorted everywhere she went. They had even arranged for Parvati Patil to accompany her whenever she visited the ladies� bath.

The casualty toll was heavy and several Gryffindors and Ravenclaws had been among the most seriously damaged. Ron Weasley, who had been gravely injured in one of the attacks, had yet to regain consciousness; his sister Ginny occupied the bed beside his with her own incapacitating wounds. Colin Creevey had been blinded, perhaps permanently while his brother Dennis had lost the use of his left arm. Luna Lovegood had been hit with an unknown spell that left her silent and staring. She had not spoken a word nor responded to any stimulus in eleven days.

The Slytherins had not escaped the skirmishes unscathed. Gregory Goyle had fallen down a moving flight of stairs after being hit by a Petrificus Totalus. His heavy tumble had shattered his right hip, an injury that was notoriously difficult to heal even with massive doses of Skele-Gro. Theo Nott had suffered a serious concussion when he�d hit the stone floor after being struck by a particularly strong Stunner.

The outbreak of violence within the school�s walls was now threatening its very existence. While outsiders had not gained access, it was clear that there were enough Voldemort supporters within the student population to wreak their own measured havoc. Discussions amongst school administrators and Ministry officials about closing the school had begun after the second of four attacks. When the injury count grew and the attacks became more vicious, the talks had taken on fevered urgency. Decisions would need to be made before the end of the Yule holidays. Even one more incident would seal the venerable institution�s fate.

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�How many are left in the infirmary as of this afternoon, Minerva?� Headmaster Dumbledore inquired wearily.

�Four, Albus. The two Weasleys, Miss Lovegood, and Mister Goyle,� she replied. �Only Goyle is likely to leave within the next couple of days. He�s been segregated from the others as a precaution.�

�There are only six more days left in the term. Is it likely that the others will recover in time to be released to their parents� care, or will we need to arrange for transfer to St. Mungo�s?�

�Poppy seems to think that Miss Weasley will be ready to be released by the beginning of next week. Her improvement has been slow, but steady. Mister Weasley and Miss Lovegood are not likely to recover that quickly. Poppy and I were discussing that it might be prudent to transfer them in the next day or so if there is no substantial change in their conditions.�

�You�re probably right, Minerva. Madam Pomfrey said as much to me when we spoke this morning. I was hoping that there had been some improvement since then,� Albus agreed sadly. �We have another meeting with the Board of Governors tomorrow, and they will be asking for our final recommendation about whether to keep the school open for the next term. I�m going to call a meeting of teachers and staff for this evening after dinner. Will you be so kind as to spread the word? We�ll meet in the Room of Requirement at 7:45.�

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�Did Draco answer the latest call, Bella?�

�Of course he did, husband. He�s been well-trained,� she smirked.

�How has he been able to leave Hogwarts and get back in since security has been tightened?� Rodolphus wondered.

�The same underground passages we used to get to Hogsmeade when we were students. As you should remember, they are known only to Slytherin house members. The Unbreakable Vow surrounding their existence ensures that no one can reveal them to anyone not part of our little �family� and that includes Professors,� she reminded him.

�Honestly, I�d forgotten about them. Why can�t we use them to get in to the castle for an attack, then?� he wondered.

�Because they can only be used by current students. I have no idea why, but once a Slytherin graduates or leaves Hogwarts permanently for any other reason, they can no longer use the passages without grave injury. It�s been tried dozens of times, and there are only a handful who have actually survived the attempt. Very frustrating,� she complained.

�No doubt,� he agreed. �How are you conditioning him to obey so quickly and thoroughly, Bella? I know he�s been under the combined potions� influence for over a year, but it seems to me that there�s more going on there. He seems so, uh, content when we�re done.�

�You always were so observant, dear,� she cackled. �I�ve added a little extra� inducement of my own when Draco has accompanied us on raids. Something totally irresistible to a young man.�

�You didn�t,� he breathed.

�I did. And he seems to like it, so what�s the problem?� she defended.

�That�s a bit twisted, even for you, Bella,� he accused.

�The Dark Lord has given me authority to act as I see fit in ensuring Draco�s training and loyalty. This is my choice. Deal with it,� she spat back.

�So does he come every time he tortures or kills someone?�

�Like a stallion. It won�t be long before I don�t have to use the Felliato spell on him any longer. He�ll be conditioned to respond with irresistible arousal and a powerful orgasm all by himself. He�ll be a machine for our army. A very satisfied machine.�

Rodolphus stared at his wife and shook his head, marveling at her ingenuity.

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Draco returned to his room after the latest raid and stripped off his cloak and robes. They were stained with blood, but he�d let the house-elves deal with that. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he toed off his dragon hide boots and swung his legs up to stretch their full length. He was tired. It had been a particularly bloody raid and he�d tortured two Mudbloods and killed a third. Why they insisted upon gathering in groups to offer themselves up as sacrificial lambs, he�d never understand. Appreciate, yes, but understand � definitely not.

He�d never admit it, but these raids took a lot out of him. He always came back exhausted and vaguely unsettled. The frequent erections and orgasms were also a bit disconcerting. The stimulus, however, just felt a bit�off. He rarely got aroused these days by the sight of a beautiful, nubile young witch. It was when he was in the thick of the fight that he couldn�t control his basest physical response. Sometimes all it took was one stroke of his erection through the fabric of his trousers, often no touch at all would get the job done.

Draco sat up briefly and stripped off the rest of his clothing, reaching for a truffle from his beside table as a midnight treat. Casting his customary privacy and silencing charms, he slipped in between the silver silk sheets and leaned back against the pillows, allowing his eyes to drift shut. His thoughts wandered to the Wizard�s magazine he�d spied over Goyle�s shoulder in the common room earlier that day. The gorgeous witch had peered out of the pages in a positively lewd pose, her legs spread wide and her wand transfigured into a life-like replica of a very large, very erect penis that teased her folds then plunged in over and over. He expected that this mental image would arouse him enough for a good wank, and he was disappointed to find that his penis remained flaccid and unmoved, even as he lightly stroked his shaft and sac. He allowed his thoughts to drift further over the activities and events of the last few days, including his attempt on Granger�s life. In his mind�s eye he saw his hands close around her creamy white throat and heard her gasp for breath. He recalled her struggling against him as he tightened his grip and his frustration as she continued her efforts to escape his hold.

He was stunned to realize that the erection that had eluded him moments earlier had decided to make a very obvious appearance. He was rapidly hardening and would soon be desperate for release. Draco spit into his hand and reached down to spread the moisture over the head of his swelling penis. He gripped the thick shaft tightly in his right hand, moving up and down slowly, deliberately. He added more pressure as he felt a new rush of arousal when his mind wandered once more to the curly-haired witch trying to wriggle from his hold. He kept up the stroking and pressure on his shaft as his left hand moved down to gently fondle his sac. Long fingers tickled and probed while a tightened fist pulled harder and longer. His imagination saw the witch collapse at his feet, breath gone from her body. One more forceful and fast tug on his shaft sent thick, heavy spurts of semen onto his chest, a deep groan accompanying the action. Now sated, his vision faded and sleep claimed him quickly.

When he awoke the next morning, Draco was a little surprised to find his abdomen coated with dried semen. He didn�t recall having an erotic dream. He shrugged, and pulled his dressing gown around his body as he strode to the lavatory for a shower.

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�Thank you all for joining me this evening. We have some very troubling and urgent issues to discuss, and I�m sorry to have to tell you that a decision will be reached tomorrow morning that will likely close Hogwarts for the foreseeable future,� Albus Dumbledore announced to the gathering of nearly thirty professors and staff members.

�Headmaster, may we assume that the Board of Governors has caught wind of the inter-house attacks?� Professor Sprout inquired.

�Yes, Pomona, that�s exactly what has happened, and as I�m sure you can imagine, they are quite unhappy. Regardless of the extra patrols, three undercover Aurors and the constant efforts of the staff, we have been unable to catch anyone in the act of committing these atrocities, and the perpetrators have been extraordinarily successful in hiding their identities while in the midst of battle. All we have are the suppositions based on who comes into the infirmary with injuries that need to be treated. Unfortunately, none of that leads to conclusive proof, without which we are unable to mete out discipline that might include suspension or expulsion. Casting Prior Incantato has yielded nothing in the way of offensive or unforgivable spells. We suspect that the battles have been waged with secondary wands, probably supplied by a Death Eater known to one or more of the students. The result of this is that the Board believes we are unable to stop the spread and escalation of violence and that it is only a matter of time before a life is taken. I�m sad to say that I find little fault in their reasoning, and have been unable to construct an argument or strategy that allows us to keep the school functioning in the current climate.�

Looking upon the dejected group, Severus Snape felt a strong pull of dread in his gut. If the school closed, he would likely have no choice but to rejoin the Dark Lord full time, a prospect he did not relish. He would have no excuse to remain behind at the school, and joining the Order full time would not afford him the flexibility and cover he needed to continue his role as a double agent. The Dark Lord had been hinting for weeks that he wanted the Potions Master to devote more time to his assignments and missions. He�d apparently been quite satisfied with the intelligence developed by young Draco Malfoy, and had grown more suspicious of Severus� excuses and supposed missteps. Snape was stuck between a rock and a hard place, and he was getting squeezed out quickly. The throbbing behind his eyes worsened as he listened to the Headmaster�s conclusions.

�So unless there is a major breakthrough in the next couple of days, I think it is safe to say that we will not be returning to normal class schedules in January,� Dumbledore stated sadly.�As soon as I receive their decision, I will notify all of you via inter-school owl. Please do feel free to speak up if you have any additional ideas or questions.�

When the assemblage failed to offer any new strategies, Dumbledore dismissed them to complete their evening patrols. He requested that a handful of his most trusted friends and advisors remain behind for a moment.

�Severus, Minerva, Pomona, Filius and Poppy, if you would give me just a few more moments of your time, please?� he asked.

Each of them nodded their assent and waited for the room to clear before their more private conversation began.

�As you well know, your roles as members of the senior staff mean that you have additional responsibilities beyond those of your colleagues. Heads of house will need to supervise the orderly departure of students and if the decision is made to close the school, you will need to assist in coordinating the move-out process. I�m telling you that you should be making plans for that now. I�m not at all optimistic about the outcome of tomorrow�s meeting, and as reluctant as I am to admit this, we have not been as effective as we needed to be in protecting our students and our school against Voldemort�s growing threat. Poppy, you will need to ensure that any patients that still remain in the infirmary are either released to their parents or transferred to St. Mungo�s by Wednesday of next week. None of them will be well enough to return for the remaining classes of this term, whatever the Board decides. I�m sure each of them will require additional time in recuperation. Begin making the appropriate contacts tomorrow. What questions or concerns may I answer for any of you?� the Headmaster offered.

Minerva sniffed quietly, refusing to allow the sob that threatened to be voiced aloud. Pomona was not the tower of strength that the elder witch was, and allowed fat tears to streak her face. Filius fidgeted nervously, unable to contain his anxiety. Severus sat stone-faced, mulling the dreadful decision that awaited him. Poppy, more accustomed than most of the others to dealing with bad news in her role as a medi-witch, calmly and silently nodded, accepting her assignment and the school�s likely fate.

Seeing that there were no questions that his senior team was willing to voice, Albus sighed heavily and spoke his dismissal to all but one. �Severus, please wait one more moment.�

�Have you decided what you will do?� he probed.

�I think that choice will be made for me, Albus, by the Board. I can�t see a way to maintain my double agent role if the school should close. While my loyalty stays with the Order, I can only continue to gather information and intelligence if I am in the Death Eater camp. I am relatively useless to you as a full-time Order operative,� Snape stated.

�Never useless, Severus, never. Your skill as a Potions Master alone makes you worth your weight in Galleons. Your in-depth knowledge of their methods doubles that. We would be lost without your wisdom and counsel. I hope you know that.�

�Thank you for your vote of confidence, Albus, but if I don�t at least offer to join the Dark Lord full-time if the school is closed, he will assume that my loyalties truly lie with you, and any advantage that we�ve gained with my work will be lost. I cannot risk that. I will do my duty and make my utmost effort to get new intelligence to you whenever I can.�

Dumbledore hung his head sadly, then met his friend�s eyes. �I understand, Severus, and I hope you know how much I recognize and appreciate the sacrifices you continue to make on my behalf. I can never express the depth of my respect for you and your commitment to the Order.�

�Thank you, Albus. You have done no less for me than be my most stalwart support when everyone else doubts me. Whatever you see, whatever you hear, know that my Wizard�s Oath of fidelity and fealty lies only with you and the Order. I must go now; there are preparations to be made.� With that, he rose from his seat, shook the elder wizard�s hand and left to tend to his responsibilities.

As the tall, thin man left the room, Albus whispered at his back, �No, Severus, the thanks are due to you.� He waited in silence for a moment more, then left the room, watching as the door disappeared before his eyes.

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�Will the Board of Governors come to order,� the Director intoned, waiting for the side conversations to cease before wielding his gavel.

He rapped twice on the dais, indicating that the meeting was now in session. �We have convened to discuss the situation at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A petition has been presented by a quorum of members to consider ceasing educational activities due to an escalating series of attacks within the school and what appears to be an impending conflict between two factions of the Wizarding world. Who is among us to present arguments?�

�I am, Director.�

�Please state your name and interest in this petition.�

�I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. My interest is in refuting the petition to allow education to continue.�

�I am, Director.�

�Please state your name and interest in this petition.�

�I am Dolores Umbridge, Senior Assistant to the Minister of Magic. We support the petition and seek to have it implemented effective at the conclusion of the current term.

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Albus Dumbledore had rarely felt so disheartened. He�d been roundly defeated, and his leadership rebuked, in his attempt to halt the Ministry�s plan to close Hogwarts� doors in just five short days. His only victory before the Board had been in delaying public notice of the decision until faculty, parents and students could be notified, but the reprieve would be less than eighteen hours and there was much to be done. He�d returned to share the sad news with the staff and plan how to break the news to students before they learned about the decision in the next edition of the Daily Prophet. The hastily arranged faculty meeting began as students gathered in the Great Hall for their lunch break.

The Headmaster�s saddened expression as the professors congregated was sufficient notice of the news he had to share.

�My friends, I�m devastated to have to tell you that I have failed you. I was unsuccessful in my attempt to continue our mission of educating young witches and wizards. The Board has decided that we will cease operations once exams are finished next week.�

A murmur of disappointment and disbelief rippled through the room. This group had so much faith in their leader and found it nearly impossible to reconcile this news with their unspoken expectation that he would return with another success to his credit. Their luck had run out, it appeared.

�We must notify students and parents no later than tonight, and preparations for an extended shut-down must be completed by Saturday,� Dumbledore continued. His normally twinkling eyes were flat and listless as he began to dole out assignments. �Minerva, I�ll ask for your assistance in crafting a letter to be sent to parents before the end of the day. Argus, I�ll need you to coordinate a plan to manage the building segments. Classrooms, dormitories, offices, and the main kitchens will all need to be closed down for an extended period. Only staff quarters and the auxiliary services will operate after next Friday. Severus, Filius, Pomona and Minerva, you know what you need to do for your Houses. I will make an announcement to the students at dinner tonight, timed to immediately follow their parents� notification. We have a lot to do, my friends, but please do let me know if you have any questions or are in need of assistance.�

He looked out upon the collection of stunned and resigned faces, and felt every one of his one hundred-sixty-two years. He was only a bit surprised when one hand rose from the back of the room. �Yes, Madame Hooch, what can I do for you?�

�Headmaster, I have two questions. First, what did the Board say about when and under what circumstances they will consider re-opening the school? Second, you know that many of us live here at the castle year-round. How will the school�s closing impact our residency?�

�Very good questions, indeed. Let me take your second question first. No one will be turned out of their home. Even with the teaching mission shut down, you all know that we continue to conduct our own research, experiments and study. Hogwarts has been self-funded for generations, so although we operate our educational charter under authority from the Board, they cannot force us to abandon the property or to stop our other work. None of that will be impacted by the Board�s decision, and all of you are welcome to stay. If you have somewhere you prefer to go, please feel free to do that.�

This news was greeted with a collective sigh of relief. Most professors did not have other homes, and the idea of having to find new lodging at such short notice had been daunting. It seemed likely that the majority of the staff would stay.

�Your first question is more difficult to answer. Much will depend on what happens in the larger Wizarding community, I�m afraid. Death Eater attacks have increased in frequency over the last couple of months, and as events here have demonstrated, Voldemort�s supporters have made inroads into many of our institutions. The Ministry has not been as aggressive as most of us would prefer in quelling this activity, and there are dark supporters in positions of responsibility throughout the organization. There are forces constantly at work on the Light side, but one of the key elements in achieving success rests on the shoulders of a very young and inexperienced boy. That battle is not ready to be fought. It seems clear that the skirmishes of the last several months will develop into a full-blown war before too long. Should that come to be, it will be a long time before students walk these halls again.�

Silence reigned as the assembly absorbed this distressing assessment. There was little evidence to refute the Headmaster�s conclusions. They all knew the boy to whom the Headmaster alluded, and he carried a heavy burden that could not readily be shared. The Order of the Phoenix and moderate Ministry leaders would need to hold the line until Harry Potter was ready to claim his place in history.

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The reaction across the Great Hall could not have been more diverse and startling. The Hufflepuffs looked shell-shocked. Ravenclaws were uncharacteristically confused. Gryffindors felt devastation and betrayal. Slytherins smirked and quietly celebrated.

The news came as the Dark Mark on Draco Malfoy�s arm began to twitch and burn. He was being called, likely in response to the victory that the Dark Lord had won in seeing Dumbledore rebuked and hamstrung by the Ministry�s decision. There would be both celebrating and planning tonight, he guessed. Draco skulked out of the Great Hall amidst the uproar created when his fellow students learned that their schooling would end in five short days, with no plan for resumption in sight. He slipped out of the school unnoticed, and arrived at his family home mere moments later.

�Father! I�m here,� he called out, stalking through the halls in search of the gathering to which he�d been summoned. Descending the stone steps into the dungeon, he heard the low murmur of conversation at the far end of the structure. That meant that it was a select group, as they�d convened in the smallest of the seven chambers that made up the lowest level of Malfoy Manor.

�Your father is not with us tonight, Draco. He�s been sent on a mission of his own,� Bellatrix informed him. �It�s you that we need this evening, nephew.�

He nodded in response, slightly uneasy that his father would not be part of this discussion. Only the Dark Lord, his aunt, uncle, and Vincent Crabbe�s father were present. �What do you need from me then, Aunt?�

�You are to carry a message from the Dark Lord, Draco. For our dear Severus. You will tell him that he is commanded to join us, and his immediate mission is to eliminate Albus Dumbledore. Should he fail in that mission, you are ordered to complete your task of killing the traitorous potions master before Hogwarts closes next Friday. Your own failure in this will not be tolerated, Draco. You�ve had all term, and while we are pleased with your work in other areas, this part of your assignment must be executed. On the off chance that Severus does follow through, you are to await further orders.�

�I understand. What about my task to kill the Mudblood? My last attempt was unsuccessful because a teacher interrupted my attack and I was very lucky to get away without being caught. Her friends have been acting as bodyguards since then, and I�ve had no additional opportunities.�

�That duty still stands, Draco. I feel confident that new opportunities will present themselves on that front. Should the occasion arise before you depart Hogwarts, however, please feel free to seize it.�

�Yes, Aunt Bella. I�ll do my best.�

�Of course you will, Draco,� she cooed. �Now, go back to school before you are missed. We will be in contact shortly.�

He took this as the dismissal it was, and bowed low to the Dark Lord, who had simply observed the conversation between the two. Draco raced up the stairs into the Manor, hoping to avoid contact with his mother along the way. His luck held as he exited through the main foyer and apparated from the grand marble steps of the portico without further disturbance.

Rodolphus nodded his head after the departing boy and asked his wife, �Will he follow through?�

�Without a doubt, dearest. He�s coming along nicely, and now that he�ll be nearer to us more frequently, we�ll be able to direct his progress even more. Think of it as fine tuning,� she chuckled.

The Dark Lord smiled. �Bella, I am in need of your services. Rodolphus and Crabbe, you may leave us now.�

Before the heavy wooden door was fully closed, the departing men could hear the rustle of Bella�s discarded robes hitting the cold stone floor.

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By the time Draco returned to the Slytherin dormitories, the majority of his housemates had returned from the Great Hall. A festive mood had set in as those loyal to the Dark Lord recognized his subtle but important victory. The closing of the school meant that Dumbledore had failed and that the students who were in his camp would not easily receive the more advanced training that they would need to effectively wage a magical war.

�Where have you been, Draco?� Pansy demanded, arms akimbo. �Professor Snape was looking for you and he was very unhappy to find you among the missing.�

�He can just sod off. I had something to do, and I�ll tell him about it when I�m good and ready,� he retorted, annoyed that she�d had the temerity to question him. He moved around her brusquely to gain access to his dormitory.

�Hey, don�t AK the messenger. I�m just letting you know that he was sweeping around like the great bat that he is, ranting about you not being here,� she gave back, affronted at his brush-off.

�Whatever. I�ll get to him shortly. Just bug off, Pansy. I don�t have time for you right now.�

She gasped. �You were with Him, weren�t you?�

Draco grabbed her arm, wrapping his fingers tightly around her slight bicep. �Keep your mouth shut, Pans,� he seethed under his breath, �before someone does it for you.� He glanced around the room, trying to gauge whether anyone had heard her outburst. It seemed that they were all absorbed in their own conversations and revelry, so he released his grip before anyone did take notice of their squabble.

�Don�t you threaten me, Draco Malfoy. I may not have the Mark yet, but my family supports the Dark Lord just as much as yours does. I�m not going to spill the beans to anyone, so don�t get your knickers in a twist.�

�Fine. Just leave it. I have things to do.� With that, Draco released the wards on his door and flopped back onto his bed, forearms crossed over his eyes. This would be a stressful few days, after all. He had to ensure that at least one man was dead by the end of the following week, and two more victims were still on his list. He rolled to his side to reach for the lovely silver box that sat upon his bedside table. He would comfort his anxiety with a rich, dark, chocolate truffle.

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Examinations would be held during the first three days of the week, an accelerated schedule that was necessary because of the unusual preparations required for the school�s extended shuttering. Since there was no telling when students might resume their education, these final grades would serve as the last evaluation of their magical knowledge and ability in the eyes of the Wizarding world. If war did come, school marks wouldn�t mean too much for those fighting in the trenches, but they would serve as guideposts for possible job placement or entrance into other learning institutions for those who chose to flee Great Britain. Estimates were that nearly thirty percent of the population, particularly those of Muggle descent, would abandon the country to protect their families.

Draco hadn�t put much effort into studying; his future was already determined and his Hogwarts grades would be of no consequence for the foreseeable future. On the same evening that he�d been given his latest task, he had waited until most of his housemates were passed out from too much celebrating or succumbed to slumber before seeking out his House Head. It had been a brief, tense, and decidedly odd meeting.

�Your mission,� he�d told the Potions Master without preamble, �is to off the old man by next Friday, then report to the Dark Lord. If you fail, you�re mine.� He�d left swiftly, not wishing to have any further discussion with the man he�d been charged to kill.

Snape could do little but gape and nod, so stunned was he by both the message and its abrupt delivery. It appeared that his fate was sealed. The long-time double agent made no delay in communicating his difficult position to his friend and leader.

�You know that I will not do this, Albus. Especially now that the school must close, you are more needed than ever to guide the resistance efforts. Potter cannot hope to prevail without your teaching and counsel. I will do everything I can between now and the end of the week to transfer my pertinent memories to your pensieve and to leave you whatever notes and evidence I�ve collected. Draco will not hesitate to kill me when he learns that you still live, so I want to be certain you have access to all that I�ve accumulated while ostensibly serving the Dark Lord.�

Dumbledore slowly shook his head from side to side, meeting the younger man�s dark eyes with kindness and empathy. �No, Severus, that is not an acceptable outcome. You will fulfill your mission and join the Dark Lord. Minerva will very capably fill my role along with Alistair Moody and Remus Lupin, and you will need to be inside Voldemort�s camp to give them whatever intelligence you can. Your presence will provide the critical difference in securing a victory for the Light. Of this I am most certain. I will use the next several days to ensure that everything that young Harry must know will be available to him when he needs it. Run along, now. You�ve got a lot to do, as do I.� He gave the man a broad smile and waved him away, turning to put quill to parchment.

Once again, Severus was left agape and shocked. He left the room, as requested by his mentor, but he was resolved to find another solution to this dilemma. He would gladly die to preserve the Headmaster�s critical leadership role, but he had to admit that he did not relish the idea of becoming Draco Malfoy�s next victim.

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It was Friday morning, barely, when Draco crept out of his dormitory into the stillness of the vacant Slytherin common room. A quick glance at the large Grandfather clock propped in the far corner confirmed the time at 1:25 am. He cast a strong Disillusionment spell on himself, shivering slightly as the cold tendrils of the charm swept rapidly over his body. Wrapping his cloak around his thin frame, he remembered to lift the hood to cover his bright blond hair in a secondary effort to conceal his identity. He pocketed his wand, opened the portrait that guarded the dungeon�s entrance, and peered out into the darkness in search of any impediments to his progress. The dim torchlight revealed nothing, and the silence reinforced his conviction that he was, indeed, alone.
Just after dinner on Thursday, he�d overheard a conversation between Professors Flitwick and Sprout that indicated that the entire staff would be working overnight to complete final arrangements for the next day�s departure and building shut-down. He thought it might present an opportunity for him to confront Snape about his failure to eliminate the bane that was Albus Dumbledore. Guessing that the Potions lab was a reasonable probability for locating the great bat, Draco stealthily edged along the damp stone walls that connected the student dormitories to the rest of the dungeon�s segments. He was only a little surprised to find the door to the lab ajar and a dim light filtering out into the corridor. He stepped into the room to find it empty but the door to the storeroom also open. Draco could hear the soft clink of glass vials tapping against other surfaces. Snape must be packing away ingredients that would not be used by students for months, maybe years, to come. He�d better put good stasis charms on them, Draco smirked to himself.

The young man moved to the storeroom�s entrance and announced himself with the clearing of his throat. Snape had been so intent on his task that he�d not noticed that he�d been observed for nearly a full minute by the slim blond. To his credit, he maintained his serene composure at the unexpected intrusion. Whatever was to come, Severus Snape was no coward. He�d accept his fate with dignity.

�Mister Malfoy. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company so late in the night?� he drawled quietly.

�You know why I�m here. Let�s not play games. Have you fulfilled your responsibility?�

�I have innumerable responsibilities. To whom or what, pray tell?� Snape was realistic, but not eager to meet his maker. If he could delay or divert the boy, there might yet be a chance to emerge unscathed.

�You know very well what I�m talking about. Does Dumbledore still live?�

�Of course he does. Do you think I�d be calmly cataloguing ingredients if the Headmaster lay dead in the castle? You�re not as smart as I thought, Draco.�

Draco refused to take the bait and decided to challenge that man who had been his teacher for five and a half years. �And do you plan to remedy that anytime soon?�

�My timing is my own. I will do what I must when the time comes,� he replied, turning back to the rack of vials he�d been packing.

�That�s where you�re wrong, Professor,� Draco sneered, sarcasm evident in his tone. �You will fulfill the Dark Lord�s mission by dawn, or suffer the consequences.�

Severus Snape actually snorted at that. �And you think that you will be able to carry out that retribution upon me, Draco? You are deluded if you think that you can best me, boy. If you think about it, I�ve taught you everything you know, but I�ve not taught you nearly everything that I know. I�d prefer not to bring harm to a student, but if you attack me, I will not hesitate to destroy you where you stand.� His dark eyes glittered with anger and challenge.

�You, Professor, are not my only teacher, nor is Hogwarts my only school. It would do you well to remember that. You have until dawn.�

With that, the young wizard glared at his teacher then turned on his heel to make his way back to his dormitory for a few hours rest.

Severus slumped against the workbench, giving in to the shiver of anxiety that had swept over him during his confrontation with Draco. While he was undoubtedly a much more skilled and experienced wizard, the young man only needed to be lucky once, and to catch him unawares, as he�d just proved he could do. Draco would not engage him in a duel; it would be a hit. There was much to complete before dawn, and worrying over their next meeting would not help his preparations nor change the parameters of that date with destiny. He gathered his wits and refocused on the job at hand.

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Five more hours, Draco guessed. That would be all the time that one of the two men had left to live. Which one died was ultimately up to Severus Snape. He could choose to do his duty to the Dark Lord or his own life would be forfeit. It was as simple as that. Draco really didn�t care either way; both men were obviously impeding the Dark Lord�s mission, and both would have to go at one time or another. He�d become increasingly convinced that Snape was the bigger problem, and while he�d surely not miss Dumbledore�s interference, Snape was a traitor. At least there was some honor in sincere convictions, however wrong-headed they were. He could almost respect that in the old man.

He stretched out fully on his bed, only removing his boots and cloak. He�d have to go back out shortly anyway, so he�d resolved to take a brief snooze before his mission would need to be fulfilled. Maybe have a little midnight snack of some of those tantalizing truffles. Three treats and two fluffed pillows later, Draco dropped off to sleep.

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�Headmaster, such a surprise to see you here,� Severus teased. Despite the weight of the moment, the Potions Master was in relatively good spirits. He�d come to terms with what he�d decided.

�I�m ready, Severus. Everything is prepared,� Dumbledore stated.

�I�ve made other arrangements, Albus. My mind is made up. I will not kill you, regardless of the consequences of my failure to act,� Snape resolved.

Sighing sadly, Albus looked at the younger man with fondness. �This is most unwelcome news, my friend. You are too valuable to the end game to surrender so easily to the fate that Voldemort has planned for you.�

�Who says I�m going to surrender?� Snape retorted. �I have other ideas. Granted, they will be more difficult to execute, but I am not without hope, Albus.�

�Very well, tell me what you�ve planned,� he requested.

�It�s better that you don�t know the details. Just remember that everything you will need from me for the foreseeable future is to be found in the Potions lab. The encryptions can be decoded using the Order�s fifth protocol. I will be leaving the castle within the hour, and I�d guess that you will find young Mister Malfoy extremely unhappy about that. He visited me a couple of hours ago with his version of a threat.� Snape actually chuckled at the thought. �He is so full of bravado, that one.�

�That�s true, but not without reason, as I�ve come to understand recently. It seems that the young man has bloodied his hands more than once. You will need to be extremely careful to avoid him, as I�m sure he�ll be most anxious for you to be his next target.�

�No doubt. But I haven�t survived nearly twenty years as a double agent without learning a thing or two about subterfuge and self-preservation. I�ll be fine, for a while at least. I will contact you when I can through Order channels, but I�d not count on it being soon. Now, it�s time to go. I wish you all the best, Albus.�

�Godspeed to you, Severus. Merlin�s blessings be upon you.�

The two men clasped hands, and the younger wizard took up the bag he�d prepared. Without another word, he disappeared into the darkness of the dungeon with only the faintest sound of footsteps echoing after him.

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One hour later, Draco Malfoy was awakened not by the rising sun, but by the sharp pain in his arm that accompanied the Dark Lord�s summons. With a grunt, he rose and donned his boots and cloak, ready to answer his master�s call. Instead, a large dark owl scratched at the window beside his bed, and he recognized the bird as one often used by his Aunt Bella. Unlatching the window, he allowed the creature entry and untied the message affixed to its leg. He read each word with growing horror: �We�ve had word that the traitor has fled. Both you and he have failed in your tasks. Return for further instructions. B.L.�

�Nooo,� he breathed. �How can this be? And how could they know even before I do?� he wondered. Whatever the source of information, the only conclusion he could reach was that there was someone else watching and reporting back to the Dark Lord, either in the castle or somewhere along Severus Snape�s travel route. Regardless, his own future had just become a lot more complicated.
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