Fidelitas

Chapter Six

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'You look very happy father,' commented Draco as he took his place on the breakfast table beside an unusually cheerful Lucius Malfoy.

'Indeed, Draco,' said Lucius. 'Your Potions master had some ... visitors yesterday.'

Lucius smiled to himself. Draco looked up from his plate with a carefully guarded expression.

'Is he dead?'

The smile disappeared from Lucius' mouth. 'No, the Order showed up and we had to retreat. Nonetheless, he was gravely wounded. Perhaps he did not survive the night.' He looked hopeful. 'The Dark Lord does not tolerate betrayal, Draco. But he rewards his followers well. Once you join us, you shall see what I mean. And together we shall rule beside Him.'

'Of course, father.'

Draco finished the rest of his meal without another word.

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Half an hour later Albus Dumbledore received a note.

Professor Dumbledore

I need to know what happened to Professor Snape.

Draco Malfoy.

Albus was thoughtful for a while; then he took his wand and pointed it at a quill on his table. 'Portus,' he said and the quill glowed for a moment before returning to its normal state. He sent it off with the eagle owl which had borne the note.

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Draco received the quill and regarded it for a second. It was far more difficult to get away unnoticed from the Manor in mid-morning than at 11 pm, but Draco had no choice. He needed to see Snape. Now.

Lucius was in his study, with some of his 'business associates'; he would be busy for at least another hour, but Narcissa and the house-elves might discover his absence. Thankfully the garden could not be seen from the study.

Draco made up his mind, and reached for his handkerchief. He walked casually downstairs, with his wand in his pocket and the quill wrapped up in his handkerchief, careful to not touch it and disappear under the watchful eyes of the family portraits. Once he reached the garden, he touched the quill and was instantly transported to the Headmaster's office.

'Good morning Draco. Do sit down,' said Dumbledore.

'What happened? Is Professor Snape all right?' asked Draco, for once forgetting the social niceties.

'He is in the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey has healed him to the best of her abilities, but he is still weak. Let us go there now.'

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Draco stared at his former Head of House, lying on the hospital bed, half-covered by a blanket; his eyes shut, but his sleep troubled. He tried but could not remember a time when he had seen his Professor look like this, without his indifferent demeanor and calculated arrogance. He stared at Severus, and didn't even notice Madam Pomfrey fussing over him, taking his temperature and running tests.

My own father did this.

'He was stunned, and then Crucio'd, more than once,' said Albus softly. 'Thankfully he was reached before . . . '

Draco heard without listening.

And he wants me to follow his footsteps.

Albus continued, 'But Madam Pomfrey is hopeful. In fact he might be on his feet tomorrow.'

So we may rule on Voldemort's side.

'She knows from experience that it takes a lot to keep Severus in bed.'

From experience.

Draco nodded slowly, and then spoke.

'Sir?'

'Yes, Draco?'

'I have made my decision.'

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'Are you sure?'

'Yes Severus. He is on our side. He said so himself. I trust him.'

'Why Albus? Why do you trust him?'

'You trust him, and I trust you. Rather simple, don't you think?'

'Did you use Legilimency on him?'

Albus smiled. 'I did. Strangely enough he asked me to.'

'And what did you see?'

'I saw that I was right to trust him, Severus. Just as I was right to trust you.'

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'Good afternoon Professor.'

'Take a seat Mister Malfoy.'

Draco obediently seated himself in the chair facing Snape's desk. He glanced at the Professor's face; it showed absolutely no sign of weakness despite the fact that even the day before his very life had been in danger. He was sitting straight in his high-backed chair, his dark eyes trained on Draco.

'I was told that you have made your decision.'

'Yes sir I have.'

'You are aware of the various ramifications?'

Draco nodded.

Severus stood up and walked over to Draco's side of the desk. He conjured a chair and sat facing him.

'There are only two days left before your Marking. Moreover it might not be possible for you to be away from your home for long periods. Time, therefore, is of the essence. You will finish your NEWTs when Hogwarts is reopened, and when your term ends Albus plans to offer you a job here at the school. It is possible that given your position at the school Voldemort might require you to spy on Dumbledore. That in itself will be a useful excuse for any time you spend with known resistors. Your position as a spy for our side will be known only to myself, Albus, and Remus Lupin. Have you talked to Lupin yet?'

Draco nodded. 'He advised me to talk to you in detail about exactly what I may be asked to do.'

Severus looked down for a moment. When he finally spoke he weighed his words carefully.

'It is ... fortunate that being Lucius' son you were not required to prove your loyalties to the Dark Lord. Usually a ... demonstration is in order before a Marking takes place. In fact the currently rising death-toll is probably due to the many hopefuls trying to prove their mettle. A newly initiated Death Eater does not join the assassination parties. But you shall be expected to join the revels.'

'My father told me about them.'

'Indeed. It is not advisable to miss them. Too many absences tend to cause ... doubts. Not something you can afford.'

'Tell me about the Marking Ceremony sir.'

'It will be performed by Voldemort himself. It is his way of binding his followers to himself. He shall speak an incantation, and touch his wand to your fore-arm. It will be painful. You may be tempted to not scream, to prove your strength, but it is unadvisable. He ... enjoys the screams. If you do not, he has other ways of making you. The Headmaster performed Legilimency on you?'

Draco nodded.

'Did it hurt?'

'It didn't.'

'The Dark Lord is himself a very skilled Legilimens. He is wont to invade your mind without any warning. Albus took care to not hurt you. Voldemort will not. There are ways however to protect yourself. It is a very old, very obscure branch of magic, called-'

'Occlumency?'

Severus seemed surprised. 'You have heard of it?'

Draco smiled.

'I am a Malfoy, sir. I began Occlumency lessons when I was twelve.'

'In that case, you should not- Legilimens!'

Without any warning Draco felt Snape trying to force his way into his thoughts. He recalled his lessons and blocked him. The spell did not relent. Draco concentrated hard on an image of Snape and Dumbledore talking in the Headmaster's office. From the look on Severus' face it was evident that he was seeing the same image, of something Draco had never seen. Next came an image of Snape correcting Potions essays with a cheerful grin on his face, and then Draco and Harry shaking hands in the Potions class-room.

The spell subsided.

'Impressive.'

'Thank you sir.'

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