23

Chapter 23: Saving Draco Malfoy

Draco was back in his room, contemplating his sudden doom. When he had first met Hasan it was for no other purpose than to spy on him, and yet he still had not figured out anything remotely remarkable about the boy. He was smart and more than a little socially awkward but overall, what could he possibly feed the Dark Lord that wouldn't result in his head being Avada'd off?

At this point, it was either him or Hasan, and friendships, especially shaky ones, only went so far. At least, this is what he was trying to convince himself. He sat at his black desk and turned over the invitation to Neville's birthday party. It was Gryffindor red with gold trimming, and the party was set for the last week of July at the Burrow- wherever that was. For a servant of the Dark Lord, he really knew how to spend his time.

Suddenly, there was a sharp tap at his window. Draco tensed before whipping around, only to realize it was Zephyrus, the owl he had left his at Hogwarts. Apparently he was smart enough to find his way back home.

"Hey Zeph." Draco said quietly as he unlatched the glass window. The little white owl hooted once, its large eyes blinking up at him. "I'm sorry. In all honesty I think I forgot...you."

Zephyrus puffed his feathers out indignantly, before flying onto his usual black perch. Draco smiled softly. "Fine." Grabbing some owl treats from his drawer, he walked over to the pouting bird and offered the treat. Zephyrus snapped it up in one go.

"There, now do you forgive me?" Draco asked, running his knuckles gently over his head feathers. Zeph chirped. "Good, I've got enough going on without my owl hating me. I don't suppose you want to listen to me rant?...Alright, I'll take that as a no, but I'll do it anyway."

He sighed and sat on his bed. "I guess it's not a big deal. It's a simple choice really. Do I want to die? Or can I risk letting Hasan suffer...Well, it's not as if Hasan warned me about the diary...then again, I did take it...but what was he doing with it anyway? It was here. It was at my house. It's unfathomable, Zeph. Can't you understand? Right, doesn't matter. It's life and death now."

Draco sighed deeply before looking back at his owl. But Zeph was gone.

.oOo.

Narcissa was downstairs, setting the oven to work with a flick of her wand, the closest to the muggle way she would ever get.

"What time?" Narcissa called, stirring the pasta around with a spoon. She could almost pretend she was making a potion, which was magical enough.

"Near eleven." Lucius called tiredly from the sitting room, glass of wine in hand. Today had been too bloody stressful. It was time to unwind a bit.

"And he can be trusted?" Narcissa asked again, trying her best to keep her voice steady and unbiased.

Lucius inclined his head. "Trusted? Oh no. As far as loyalties go, he must be the least trustworthy of us all. But for this, we hardly have a choice."

There was a pause as Narcissa checked the mushrooms.

"You said Dumbledore trusts him." she said quietly.

"So does the Dark Lord." Lucius countered with another gulp of alcohol. "Still, there's no one else we can turn to. And he won't betray us."

"I think he's to be trusted then." Narcissa said, though she couldn't help but feel there was something missing when it came to Severus Snape. Something very strange and very distant.

"If you say so."

.oOo.

It was five hours after dinner when the wards first signaled the new arrival. Narcissa had checked that Draco was asleep by drugging him more or less by spiking his tea with dreamless sleep potion, and has promptly locked his door. Merlin knew they couldn't deal with an episode of sleepwalking tonight.

Narcissa did a last-minute check over the entire sitting room, making sure that pillows were fluffed, table straightened, roses sticking up at symmetrical angles. She gave a satisfied nod of approval and turned to Lucius.

"I'll fetch the tea." Narcissa murmured, taking in her husband's darkened eyes and rigid posture. The Malfoy lord inclined his head slightly, wondering if perhaps he shouldn't have taken that sobering potion.

The night sky had long since turned dark, lit only by the most brilliant stars. There were clouds too, but the moon was left clear to shed its light on the most ominous of trees, casting shadows of seemingly grabbing hands...

Severus had been busy to say the least the last couple of days. The werewolf needed Wolfsbane every month and this week was no exception. The Dark Lord also had him restocking his supplies, even after all the time spent trying to develop a potion that returned the Dark Lord back to normal (as if). Clearly this wasn't even possible without the right ingredients, but what he had brewed was acceptable for now. Severus also had his plate full with researching the very few ways in which memory pockets could be dislodged harmlessly from the host mind. Not to mention Dumbledore's plans for the next order meeting. Apparently Albus had a surprise that he refused to tell anyone, because of course, that could ruin the surprise. Sometimes Severus wondered why he even bothered to play on the tightrope.

The main double doors of Malfoy Manor parted slightly, revealing a slightly thin silhouette of Malfoy senior. Even from a distance, Snape could see the obvious burden on the man's shoulders. Lucius' posture was unrelaxed, yet tired, not graceful in the least.

"Welcome Severus." Lucius greeted with a strained smile. "It's been a while since you've been here."

Severus didn't return the smile; he never did, instead opting for a somewhat puzzled expression on his usually stony face.

"So it has."

Lucius opened the door wider to let Severus pass, not bothering to go through the pleasantries of handshaking. They both knew it would be pointless.

"Your home looks lovely as always, Narcissa." Severus said as Narcissa set the ornate tea tray on the table.

"Oh thank you, Severus." Narcissa smiled gently. "We had to prepare for one than one special guest within the last few days."

Severus raised a supercilious eyebrow. "Indeed." So the Dark Lord had been here, to Malfoy manor, despite his forces being centered at Lestrange's house. Bellatrix had jumped at the chance to host headquarters, of course, and no one was fool to fight her for it. So for the Dark Lord to visit..."What about may I enquire?"

Narcissa sent her husband an uneasy look before settling down in the chair opposite the fireplace.

"Please, sit." Lucius offered lamely, pointing to the chair left of Narcissa's, as he took the one on the right. Snape did so, trepidation boiling in his stomach. If this was what he thought it was, if Hasan's vision was truly right...

Lucius cleared his throat to speak. "It's about Draco."

"The events at the school I could have hardly prevented, I can assure you." Snape quipped.

"No, no, it's not that." Narcissa said quickly, "And thank you for looking after Draco, even if there was nothing you could do. What we're trying to say is that we need your help...again."

"And what would you need my help for? If Draco has been given a task (Narcissa gasped) then I cannot do it for him!"

"Y-you know about it?" the witch gaped incredulously, just as her husband roared: "Don't play coy, Severus! It doesn't suit you!" The couple looked at each other before looking accusingly at the Potions Master. Snape simply shrugged and reached gracefully for his tea.

"The Dark Lord has told me of his plan because Draco is being carefully watched. If he so much as steps one toe out of line, he will be cut." Snape said harshly. Then with a cock of his head, he turned to Lucius. "Coy, Lucius? I'm not attempting to trick you. I cannot interfere and I will not interfere."

"But you're a spy for the Light." Narcissa blurted with an unmistakable tone of hope. "Dumbledore said so."

And then it clicked, they had turned coat...

"And I'm a spy for the Dark. The Dark Lord said so." said Snape sourly. "But I have the impression it's not my loyalties that need to be questioned here, is it? What I want to know is When. When is it that you switched sides."

There was no definite answer to When. Lucius had started corresponding with the lunatic named Altair roughly a year ago, and his emotions had been borderline all throughout that time period. Narcissa had never wanted to receive the Dark Mark and had always cared for Draco, but when had that changed into loyalty towards the Light?

"Recently." Lucius replied shortly. "I've already talked to Dumbledore about an arrangement. Our support for our protection."

That fool! Severus thought. How could Dumbledore hope to win if he flings amnesty at every Death Eater, virtually for free?

"If you have Dumbledore's support, why on earth do you need me?" Severus remarked astutely. "Unless of course, you're not planning on fleeing the country, which means you're going to play the game. But Draco can't play, can he? That's why I'm here."

Lucius nodded. "He can't know...He can't...the Dark Lord would rip him to shreds." His voice had gone hoarse, cracked.

"An ambitious plan." Severus sighed, letting his mask fall for the first time since arriving. "I can only hope to guide Draco in whatever he chooses to do. No, listen to me!" he said as Narcissa attempted to interrupt. "If Draco supports the Dark Lord, he will view you as traitors for supporting the Light. He needs someone with unbiased reason to be on his side. Otherwise we have lost him! If he does turn around, if he does learn the truth and everything is as your plan entails, he will need someone who has never tried to persuade him either way to draw him back to his parents!"

"So you will be our line? Our one connection to our son?" Narcissa asked, lips quivering. "That's what we're doing, isn't it? We're casting him out to fend on his own and hope we can reel him back in when the storm is gone." She released a stressed moan before getting up. "I'd better get the whiskey."

Lucius looked at his wife in concern, knowing it was hardest on her as Draco's mother.

"It's the only thing we can do." Lucius said. "We're too deep in. We can't just flee."

"Dumbledore can help."

"Dumbledore is human, Severus! Dumbledore's followers are human! They make mistakes! Most of them want your corpse rotting in Azkaban! How can we rely solely on him to relocate us with absolutely no backlash from both sides? And that's assuming I don't already go mad from the Dark Mark!"

Almost unconsciously, Snape shook his left arm but disguised it as a full-bodied shudder. Enduring the pain of the Morsmorde was enough for one minute, let alone for all eternity until death.

"You can win them over. You have money. The Order needs funds." Severus said confidently.

"Like you have so successfully charmed them?" Lucius sneered. "Black's as rich as us, and I hardly think tossing around a few galleons will earn us more than a few snide comments. Though we'll be damned trying." he added bitterly.

"Dumbledore has more influence than you think." Severus said again. "It is a testament to him that my corpse is not indeed rotting in Azkaban. The others will be difficult, I admit. But surely it won't be so difficult for the great Lucius Malfoy to charm his way into any social circle."

"Some circle!" Lucius cried, trapped between laughing and crying. "Severus, I'm being absolutely serious! There's no way we can do this! I was a fool to ask, but I have and now we are. We're condemning Draco's childhood, but maybe not his future. But we need the support of the Order to save that and nothing's more stubborn than a Gryffindor!"

"I concur with you there." Severus said tiredly. They were running in circles and Severus was never one to coddle or raise others' self-esteem. He pinched the bridge of his nose and thought, wondering when Narcissa would ever come back with the whiskey. Perhaps there was something else the Malfoys could use, if not words. Most of the Order wouldn't believe a word they said anyway, but actions...Gryffindor's respected them quite a bit more than they should...

"Can you cast a patronus?"

The idea was so completely random that Lucius nearly gaped at him.

"A...patronus?" Lucius echoed blankly.

"Yes, a patronus." Severus confirmed.

"How the bloody hell is that going to help me, Severus?" Lucius screamed. "And no, I haven't been able to cast a bloody creature since I was at Hogwarts."

"Try it." Severus shrugged. "It's a highly secure form of communication we use in the Order."

"And I suppose I need a happy memory too?" Lucius spat. "Like what? I can't bloody well remember seven years of my life if you do recall!"

"LUCIUS!" Severus yelled. "For Salazar's sake! Just bloody try for once!"

"I AM TRYING! WHY THE FUCK DO YOU THINK I CALLED YOU OVER?"

Both men were out of their seats, wands outstretched, tea cold and forgotten on the table.

"The incantation is simple: Expecto Patronum. Just think only of your happy memory. Don't let it go even for a second." Severus whispered.

"I know how to do it." Lucius snapped. "Expecto Patronum!"

Nothing happened.

"See! I-"

"Again!" Severus ordered mercilessly.

"Expecto-"

"Convince me, won't you? A second year could do this."

Lucius grit his teeth. "Expecto Patronum!"

"Are you even thinking of a happy thought?"

"I'm trying to envision us all alive, but frankly I'm finding that a difficult task." Lucius snapped.

"Then pick something else. Your wedding day, for example."

"Expecto Patronum! EXPECTO POTRONUM!"

A wisp, a silvery wisp of nothingness.

"Good." Severus said, and let it be known that he did not praise lightly. "Imagine every detail. Every noise, every smell. Were there flowers? Was there music? Were you happy?"

This time, Lucius shut his eyes, unable to match the challenge in those onyx eyes. He imagined rows of grapevines, a white isle, several white roses, and a quiet harp. He tried to relax, let the emotions flow through him, but something was off. He frowned.

Where was the dress? Where was the perfume? The red roses? Unicorn-drawn carriages? Organs, violins, nymph choruses?

Where was Narcissa?

It felt so nice though, and he couldn't understand or hope to explain the feeling. The entire memory was foreign, as if it came a long way away, over a connection of gossamer.

And yet he was happy...

"EXPECTO PATRONUM!"

Narcissa watched wide-eyed from the doorway. Glass shattered.

It was silvery, albeit very faint, but the animal was unmistakable. It wore a crown of feathers on its head, and had a sharp beak and beady eyes. Narcissa's mouth dropped as she bent unconsciously to pick up the wine glasses. The large silver bird looked right at her, millions of silvery eyes staring from its regal plume.

Severus staggered back, his legs catching the edge of his seat. Lucius' patronus was a peacock. A bloody peacock. It fit perfectly with his personality...so then, was Hasan Castell's really a peacock, or was he influenced by the memories trapped inside? Because of Altair's meddling, how much of Hasan was Hasan? And if he took that away...would Dumbledore's golden boy be damaged beyond repair? He would have to research this, and research fast.

Lucius' eyes were wide open and as brightly silver as the majestic bird in front of him. And another thing, his cheeks were wet. As soon as he opened his eyes, the vineyard and the white roses melted away into the picture of Narcissa, crouching over broken glass. His vision was not possible. It was only that, a vision. And no matter how much he desired it, how much he was intrigued by it, he could never ever have it.

But Narcissa couldn't have seen what he had seen. Narcissa couldn't have known what he had known. So then why was she on the ground? Why was Severus on the couch, looking as if someone had given him a great slap in the face?

"You cast a patronus." Narcissa finally spoke, icy blue eyes sparking with amazement.

"Yes, but-"

And then there was a clap. Severus was clapping from his seat, a slow type of clap, dramatic, staged.

"Dark wizards can't cast a patronus." Severus explained smugly. "That's something the Order can't deny. It's your salvation."

"OH!" Narcissa beamed, and summoned more whiskey from the cabinet to celebrate.

But Lucius felt anything but saved. If anything, he wanted to punch Severus in the face and tell him it wasn't worth it. Because of that patronus, he knew exactly the happiest moment of his life, and absolutely nothing could bring it back. He hated Severus. He hated himself. But he knew it was stupid, a pointless, puerile hate.

Draco was saved.

They were saved.

And it only cost his pain.

.oOo.

Mad-Eye Moody wouldn't have been Mad-Eye if not for the day he had been guarding the Department of Mysteries. He was not exactly sure why he was down there, except that there was a wrenching in his gut, and he tended to follow those sorts of things. It had been the week that Trelawney's prophecies had been moved into the Department, so suspicion was running high.

As he approached the final level, however, an unknown figure robed in black, shot out from the shadows and ran towards the exit. Naturally, Moody had whipped out his wand, and he fancied that he hit his mark, although he couldn't be sure, and he would never even know. For the figure was gone the next moment, leaving Moody wondering if he had hallucinated the whole thing. No one escaped Auror Moody. He was the best as far as law enforcement went. So for something to surprise him and then for it not to be there? Now what sense could be made from that?

Moody would have dismissed the entire thing, if not for the peculiar feeling around his eye. Returning to the surface, Moody had only to glimpse in the mirror to know it had not been a dream. His eye was gone. Missing as if it were never there. In its stead was a smashed socket, which was easily remedied at St. Mungo's. Yet, the mystery remained, and so did his electric blue eye.

.oOo.

"There's an Order Meeting today?" Ron asked excitedly around a mouthful of food.

Molly eyed him sharply. "Not for you. You're much too young." the Weasley matriarch plopped down on one of the kitchen chairs at Grimmauld and began to cut into her eggs, sunny-side down.

"Yes, all children will have to go upstairs. It's the rule." Lupin said with a sympathetic shrug.

"But don't they deserve to know too, Moony?" Sirius questioned defiantly.

"They're too young, Sirius!" Molly snapped.

"No, we're not!" Ginny whined. "Neville's already had to defeat You-Know-Who three times before. It's the least you could do to keep him informed!"

"I'd like to know at least." Hermione chimed in quietly.

"Yeah," Neville said, putting down his water glass with a bang. "I want to know what's going on with this war. If I'm to represent the Light, I should know what its purpose is."

"Well said, Neville!" Sirius grinned, taking a sip of coffee. Lupin glared. He didn't have anything against letting the children know some things, but having them all together? They were all much too young, and besides, Dumbledore had specifically said that this meeting was going to be different and extremely important.

"I want to be there too." Ginny said. "We all need to know what to do to support Neville."

"The best thing is to support him as a friend." Lupin said. "Leave the war plans to us. No child should have to bear such a burden."

Neville frowned down at his toast. It wasn't really his burden, was it? But there was something else there, an attachment to the responsibilities. He had to represent the Light for the missing icon of the Light, but didn't that make him the leader of the Light? A leader was only thus if he led others. If Harry Potter was missing, he could not lead, and therefore was not a leader. Then, didn't that make Neville the leader? It was all rather confusing, but the point of it was that Neville, for all intents and purposes, now felt like the leader of the Light. So shouldn't that mean he should be allowed at the meeting?

He opened his mouth to speak when Fred (or was it George?) cut him off.

"Mum, it's alright. We'll take care of Neville-"

"-And make sure he doesn't get into any trouble."

Molly looked quickly relieved, but Lupin was eyeing them suspiciously.

"We're not banning you because we think you don't understand. We're banning you because the Order is not a place for children."

"A war is no place for children either." Sirius huffed.

"Then you should agree then that they shouldn't be exposed at the meeting." Lupin growled. Sometimes Sirius was alright, but sometimes his stubbornness really put a thorn in his side. Couldn't he see he was only trying to do what was best for the kids?

"Yeah, as much as I'd like to go, I think this whole Order thing is over my head. I mean, I fought V-voldemort how many times?" Neville deadpanned. "But by all means, if I'm not allowed to know what he's planning, then don't tell me."

Lupin sighed exasperatedly. "Molly?"

"You heard what Mr. Lupin said. You can't go and that's final." Molly told them. "This is not a personal attack, it just is. Now finish breakfast and get dressed. Then you can continue helping me to clean out this house. I can't believe how long it's been this way..."

Sirius, shoulder hunched, grinned sheepishly at the children. "Well, I tried, but maybe it would be best for you all not to attend. It would be pretty boring anyway. I'm falling asleep half the time."

Fred and George grinned at that, while Ginny frowned, and Neville glared at the table. This was so bloody unfair! Honestly! Neville fumed silently as he finished up his breakfast. He wondered why Fred and George were acting so happy about it, and why Ginny seemed to know something he didn't.

Once the kids had gone upstairs, Lupin turned to his fiancé with a small smile.

"I'm proud of you."

Sirius started. "For what? Telling them it'd be boring?"

"No, for letting it go. I know you think it's best for them to know everything, but think of us at their age. They're barely thirteen. It's not right for them to have to attend battle meetings."

"It's not right for them to grow up in a war."

"A lot of things aren't right." Lupin said quietly. "But at least I've got you."

Lupin put his hand over top Sirius' and squeezed gently.

"I love you, Padfoot."

Sirius grinned from ear to ear. "Love you too, Moony."

Sometime during this time, Molly had left.

.oOo.

"I can't believe they did that!" Neville pouted as they played Exploding Snap. "How can they think of banning me? ME! Their bloody figurehead!"

"Neville, calm down!" Hermione chastised. "It's just a meeting. We'll learn sooner or later."

"Sooner!" Fred yelled. "Look! George and I invented these last year."

He held out what appeared to be a flesh-coloured ball of string as Neville examined it with disgust.

"Oh, gross! What is that?" Neville asked.

"It's your ticket to the meeting." Ginny said smugly. "Watch." She took the ball from Fred's hand and held it by the end, letting it unravel until something odd hung at the end.

"Is that-? Is that-?"

"We give you the Extendable Ear!" George announced, hopping on the bed. "With this little trinket we can hear everything that goes on in that room."

"All we need to do is stand at the top of the stairs and let it hang!" Fred said. "It picks up everything, and we can all listen."

"Wow! How did you guys make this?" Hermione queried, fascinated.

"It took a few tries." George admitted.

"Had awful smelling putty in their room for months." Ginny said, wrinkling her nose.

"Wait, then how come I didn't know about this?" Ron asked, bewildered.

"'Cause you were too busy writing love letters to Lav-Lav." Ginny giggled.

Ron frowned, but didn't comment.

"This is great, you guys!" Neville beamed. "Now we can hear what they're up to!"

"What, you thought we'd let that go so easily?" Fred snorted. "No, we have backup plans."

"So when does the meeting start?" Hermione asked.

"Ten, I think." Ginny said. "We have to eat dinner first, and then by the time everyone arrives..."

"Well, we better start cleaning. I think Sirius found a boggart in the closet."

.oOo.

"Relax, you'll be fine, dear." Narcissa smiled softly as she kissed him chastely on the lips.

"What's not be relaxed about?" Lucius queried. "It shouldn't be much worse than a Death Eater meeting."

"Oh, I rather doubt that." Snape sneered. He was standing by the door, waiting for Lucius to finally get the nerves to leave. "I've already informed Dumbledore that you'll be making your debut."

"Thank you again, Severus, for doing this for us." Narcissa said. "Now, behave yourself, Lucius. Don't forget about your Patronus."

"Yes, it's a miracle of Gryffindors to trust on so little." Lucius said. "I should probably be thankful for it now."

"Don't be too thankful." Severus drawled. "They're bloody annoying when they want to be."

"Oh, I don't doubt it. Not from what Draco has said. Well, good luck." Narcissa beamed, nodding towards Severus.

With a resigned nod, the Malfoy lord turned to the door, and the two were out of the Manor and down the lane before they apparated into a dark, vacant street.

"So this is where the great Order of the Phoenix has its headquarters?"

Snape nodded. "And you haven't even seen it yet." With a flick of his wand, flicked with just the right intention, the apartment buildings began to separate, and a curious little door began to appear where none previously were.

Lucius watched the door lock into place with some trepidation, wondering why on earth this should make him so uneasy. He glanced at Severus, thinking suddenly how the man had endured this back and forth for so long.

"Well, we better get on with it." Lucius said.

"Indeed."

The two men strode to the door, robes billowing behind them menacingly, much more fitting of a Death Eater meeting than any slapdash Order of the Light. Snape tapped the door once with his wand, and pushed it open once he heard the slight click.

Severus entered first, feeling strangely like a guardian as Lucius trailed behind. Often they had fought for the Dark Lord's favour, but that time had come to a close. Now it was not about rank or prestige. It was about surviving and gaining the trust of others, something very hard to put into a competition. Still, it felt odd.

There was no one to greet them as they inched down the first hall. Much of the noise came from the kitchen which was (irritatingly) not wrapped in a silencing ward.

"I'll go first." Snape said. "I doubt Albus will leave you waiting for long."

Lucius nodded numbly.

The greasy haired man strode forward and placed his hand on the knob, before very deliberately turning it.

"Ah! Severus!" Remus greeted.

Snape nodded towards the werewolf, refraining to sneer at the mutt next to him. At the table there was seated Molly and Arthur, Remus and Sirius, Kingsley, and Minerva.

"Albus hasn't arrived yet." Minerva stated the obvious. "He's supposed to floo and bring two more."

"Two?" Snape echoed.

"Yes, Nymphadora and Moody." Kingsley said. "I think we could use their help a great deal."

Severus smoothed his face into a mask. Should he reveal Lucius now? Or should he just-?

Suddenly, the floo roared to life, and the headmaster, in brilliant fuchsia robes came tumbling out of it, quickly followed by a pink-haired woman, and a rough looking man. Oh Salazar! Could he not get a break?

"Ah! I see you're all here!" Albus cried jovially, taking his seat at the head of the table. "May I introduce Alastar Moody and his protégée Nymphadora Tonks?"

"It's Tonks." she said as her hair turned bright red.

The two took a seat on Dumbledore's right, as Severus took the seat closest to him on the direct opposite end of the table. As he pulled it out, Albus said, "I believe, Severus, that you have a friend of your own to introduce."

Sirius would have liked to shout: The man has friends? But refrained due to Remus' warning glare- and it was damn scary.

"You brought a friend?" Arthur questioned uneasily.

"Yes, in fact." Snape said with a curl of his lip. He made his way gracefully over to the door and signaled for Lucius to enter. The blond licked his lips (not, he would admit, in nervousness) and followed the dark man into the room of the Light.

The Weasley's looked about ready to have a heart attack as the aristocrat stepped into the room. Arthur was clutching the arms of his chair, while Molly was clutching her heart. Sirius' eyes bugged out of his socket, whereas Lupin looked mildly surprised at everything. Kingsley was impassive, preferring to hear the whole story before making judgments, but the other side of the table wasn't so pleased.

"What's he doing he?" Tonks asked. "Isn't he-?"

"DEATH EATER, I'LL KILL YOU." Moody shouted, standing up abruptly.

"There will be no killing tonight, Alastor." Albus said without much concern. "Please, sit down."

Lucius felt some of his nerves met away to be replaced with anger. How could that old man just make assumptions like that? He didn't even know him! Granted, he had done some pretty horrible things in the past, but surely the Light was all about second chances!

"Thank you." Lucius said past the lump in his throat. He took the seat next to Severus, on his right, so that he could diagonally keep a watch of Moody. Even by Death Eater standards, the man was a force to be reckoned with.

"Well, now that we're all officially here!" Albus began. "I'd like to explain a few things about our latest recruit. This-" he gestured. "is Lucius Malfoy."

"We bloody know that." Arthur growled. "But what's he doing here?"

"Well, you see, I was just getting to that." Albus said. "I believe he has, what's the phrase? Turned coat."

"Surely you can't just-" Tonks protested.

"How do we know what he's really up to?" Alastor asked. "Unless we perform legilimency on him?"

Lucius was getting slightly panicked now. Legilimency? Surely not!

"Alastor, I would thank you to wait a second." Albus said. "Now, I don't know the specifics, but for protecting his family we will have gained a valuable asset."

"Or a spy for the Dark!" Alastor insisted. "Look, Albus. I know you are the leader but sometimes people aren't as great as they seem to be."

"I'd rather not have him in the same house as my kids, Albus." Arthur said. "We need to make sure."

"I'll make sure!" Moody yelled. "Legilimens!"

Even from across the table the force of the spell, coupled with Lucius' utter surprise, had Lucius blasted into the wall. Lucius' shields were good if not strong, however, and the two men fought over the edges of Lucius' consciousness.

"Protego!" Snape snapped, ending the childish attack with a flick of his wand. Lucius slumped down beside him, rubbing his temples with an elegant hand. "Albus." Snape growled.

Albus looked deeply distraught. "Perhaps Alastor is right."

"For the children." Molly nodded.

"What will it take to convince you?" Lucius demanded, more than a little pissed off. "Even the Dark Lord has the courtesy of brushing over Occlumency. How else has Severus survived all these years?"

"Severus?" Albus enquired. "Do you have any ideas?"

"There is nothing he can say that will change what he is!" Alastor growled.

"What if it wasn't words?" Lupin suggested. "What if we got a select few memories? Or maybe veritaserum?"

"After what just happened?" Snape hissed. "I don't even think you'd be stupid enough to give free reign to those who hate you."

"Hey! He's the one trying to earn our trust, remember?" Sirius said. "Isn't there a spell or something that can determine the purity of heart?"

"The Patronus charm." Alastor said immediately. "None of the Death Eaters I've ever come across have been able to cast it."

"Perhaps because they were locked in Azkaban." Sirius muttered darkly.

"Well, if Mr. Malfoy can cast the charm that should be enough, right?" Tonks asked.

"A fully corporeal one." Moody commanded.

"Not even the average wizard can do that!" Lupin said. "Isn't it a bit unfair?"

"Life isn't fair." Kingsley said gently. "But if this is the best option, I don't see why not. You do know the incantation, don't you, Malfoy?"

Lucius nodded jaggedly.

Snape stiffened beside him. Though Lucius had been able to cast it once, he had failed to mention that it was highly variable. A sudden tragedy could cause it to disappear, lack of a happy situation could prevent the memories from manifesting into the spell...he just hoped Lucius' determination could overcome this.

The blond stood up and took out his wand. Instinctually, everyone else had their wands out too, and Snape fought not to roll his eyes.

"The incantation is Expecto Patronum. Good luck!" Albus said with that damnable twinkle in his eye.

Lucius shut his eyes, feeling incredibly self-conscious as he tried to picture the wedding again. What was there? White roses, was that it? And, and, and, a vineyard? The memory was hazy, not crisp like before, and he felt as if he were imagining the whole thing instead of remembering it.

His lips didn't move. He could feel the lack of power before his spell. Quick, what other memory could he grab? Could he pick? Draco alive? Narcissa loving him? He could feel their eyes burning a hole in him as he continued to think. Graduation? No. Getting the Dark Mark? Absolutely no.

"What? Can't do it?" Alastor laughed.

"Moody..." Tonks pleaded.

Lucius quickly went through his memories again. His first day at Hogwarts. That would have to be good, right? His parents took him to the train station where he knew he met a young Altair Castell and probably Narcissa, and maybe Bellatrix if the two were together...

"Ex...Expecto Patronum!" Lucius whispered. He snapped his silvery eyes open to see a thick wisp of silver coming from the tip of his wand. Though it wasn't much, everyone (excluding Moody) was fairly gaping in awe. Spells didn't lie. Magic didn't lie. Perhaps the Malfoy lord had changed after all...Molly looked about to have a heart attack.

"Intention can be faked. Only the Light can cast full bodied patronuses." Moody said smugly.

Severus felt himself grow angry. "Not many wizards, regardless of affiliation, can even cast a noncorporeal patronus. To demand as much now, even after you have ascertained that his intentions are pure-!"

"Severus, calm down." Albus said with a slight frown. The last thing he needed was for a little war to break out at the table. "Alastor, is not that enough?"

"Excuse me." Lucius said. "I think I need a minute."

His hand was on the knob, and his throat constricted with a mixture of shame and confusion. He just needed a bit of fresh air...and a happy memory or two. He opened the door and that was when a chill went through the room.

Someone screamed.