Stratagem

Harry looked up, staring cross eyed at the tip of Draco Malfoy’s wand.

How did he get in here? Where are Severus and Remus? His mind whirled as he panicked.

“What? Cat got your tongue, Potter?” Draco sneered.

Harry’s mind went blank; he didn’t know how Malfoy had managed to get into the school, let alone come to be a part of this game of survival. Severus had vouched for his loyalty to the Order, but looking into Draco’s eyes, Harry wasn’t so sure that he wasn’t about to cast an Avada Kedavra on him.

“Do stop taunting the saviour of the wizarding world, Draco,” Severus drawled, coming into Harry’s line of view and offering him a hand so he could rise.

“But, but… how did Malfoy get in here?” Harry spoke before he thought about it, voicing his thoughts out loud for the two men to hear. He looked around wildly, taking Severus’s hand without thought.

“Think upon what you have just said, Harry.” Harry looked at Severus with a bewildered expression on his face.

“The battle that is to come will not be fought using simple courtesies that we have shown you. It will be bloody and fierce. Expect the unexpected; only then may you be able to survive.” Severus nodded his head once before turning to Draco.

“Well done.” He grinned at his godson.

“It really wasn’t that difficult,” Draco replied. “I thought you were meant to be teaching him.” He sneered, his face looking just like his father’s at that age.

Severus had to restrain the hurtful comment that was on the tip of his tongue.

“Indeed, although he is a Gryffindor after all, and you know how pig-headed they can be.”

“Oy,” Harry said, looking offended.

Draco smiled.

“You’re okay, I guess,” Draco responded looking Harry right in the eye.

“Thanks, Ferret,” Harry said with a glint in his eyes. Draco ignored him.

Remus came bounding over to the group.

“Marvellous, Harry. It took me a while to remove the ropes you conjured,” he said, slapping Harry on the back. “Oh, Mr Malfoy, when did you get here?” he asked. He wore a puzzled expression, and Severus knew he would be down in his chambers later that night demanding an explanation.

“Just got here,” Draco replied, looking at Remus. He could not hide the look of confusion on his face. It was there for one second, and the next the mask was back in place. He had thought that his godfather had disposed of the werewolf, but clearly he had lied to everyone, Voldemort included.

Severus caught the look of confusion on Draco’s face before he had cleared it of any emotions. He sighed out loud, and everyone’s focus turned to him.

“Perhaps it is best if we all retire to my chambers where explanations will be forthcoming.” He turned on his heel before anyone could respond and made his way to the door.

Stopping before the door, hand on the doorknob, he turned.

“All of you had better Disillusion yourselves before following me,” he said pointedly, glaring at each of them in turn. “We wouldn’t want mass hysteria to break out. How would I explain the sudden need for Calming Draught to Poppy? Besides which, I am much to busy to make it for her.” He frowned, raising one eyebrow into the air.

The three men looked at Severus in shock.

Did he just joke with us? Harry thought. He did.

Severus didn’t wait around to witness the two Gryffindors breaking out in huge grins as he spun around and opened the door, making his way out of the Room of Requirement and down to his dungeon home.

***

Her master was becoming more and more volatile. If he only knew that her intent was only to please him. She never knew what mood he would be in when the door to her prison opened, and this one fact scared her more than anything else.

Would he be in a good-humoured frame of mind today? She truly hoped so, as she liked him best when he was like that. There were times that she didn’t much like him, but he was her master. Who was she to question him when he came in, his temper flying as he used her to excise his own demons?

She was nothing but his possession. A thing to be used at his whim. She had come to this conclusion early on, though it vexed her.

Her master had silenced her successfully. She had no voice, no opinion, though he loved to hear her scream; it always brought such a smile to his face. That was the only sound she could make whilst he was there in the cell. Of course, she had her own view on why he liked only to hear her screams, but she would never voice these aloud. They were her own thoughts, her own fanciful imaginings, and if he knew her thoughts, he would take them away from her like he had taken away everything else that was hers.

So she held onto them, locked them away with a key and padlock in the dark recesses of her mind that even she had trouble finding at times. It was only now when she was alone with no sounds or light that she could lie back on her pallet and imagine her master as she wished him to be.

She contemplated her feelings, spinning around her head until she almost felt faint from the press of them. She had no opinions, no voice, nothing that her master hadn’t given to her.

She didn’t recall her life outside of this cell. For all she knew she could have been born here, though she didn’t think so. But thinking about her life up until this point was an inane task, as it gave her terrible headaches, so she didn’t even try anymore. Her entire life up until now was meaningless; her master gave her meaning, an importance that she had never known before, and for that she was most grateful to him.

She sat up slowly, as though any quick movement might dispel the eerie quietness surrounding her. Her back still hurt terribly from her last round with the whip, though she knew if she reached back and touched it, she would feel nothing but unblemished skin. She crinkled her forehead in concentration, ignoring her various injuries as she turned slowly to face the rickety wooden table that was pushed against the wall, not truly seeing it, for the darkness surrounding her was all encompassing. She knew it was there though; she knew every inch of her cell, her home.

***

The four wizards were all seated in Severus’s sitting room. Explanations had been given, and they were all silent, each one lost in his own thoughts. Both Harry and Remus had known most of what was repeated this night, but neither said a word as Severus told the tale.

Severus was watching the play of emotions on the two Gryffindors’ faces; Draco’s face, much like his father’s, gave nothing away.

“I think,” Draco said, staring into the flames, breaking the comfortable silence, “that something has to be done about Lucius.”

Harry was about to speak and opened his mouth to do so, but a warning glare from Severus silenced him.

“He is the Dark Lord’s right hand man, and I think if we can take him out of the picture, it will make our success all the more likely,” Draco continued.

It was as though Draco was using the room, and the three wizards in it, as a sounding board to what was really on his mind.

“And what do you propose?” Severus spoke in a calm and reasonable voice. The boy had earned his respect as he had wound his way through the Death Eaters like an experienced, proficient spy.

“I have come up with a plan,” Draco replied, turning his head to look at Severus, “but it is rather risky and has the potential to fail.”

“Well, let’s hear your proposal, and perhaps we can all help you with its execution.”

Draco shook his head once, looking over to Severus. “No. I must implement it, for Lucius trusts no one. He would not see it coming from his son.”

Severus nodded his head once. Remus and Harry wisely stayed silent.

Draco turned his head, staring at a blank stone on the wall. His eyes became unfocussed, as though this was the first opportunity to voice these thoughts out loud and not just in his head.

“Polyjuice,” Draco said, as if that was the answer to the entire war.

Remus and Harry stared at each other, an identical look of puzzlement on their faces as they exchanged looks. They focused once more on Draco. Harry was holding his breath as though he were waiting for some miraculous plan to form.

“What of it, Draco?” Severus asked, and Harry looked over towards Severus to see his focus entirely on the blond-haired wizard who still had that far off look in his eyes.

Harry exhaled loudly, and Severus turned his head abruptly and gave him a scowl. Harry quickly ducked his head, his face heating up and taking on a reddish hue.

“I plan on taking my father out of the game, but I will need Polyjuice to answer the Dark Lord’s call. The only flaw to my plan is the fact that he will have to be kept close, so that when he is called, I will be able to answer. I don’t want the Dark Lord to become even more paranoid then he is.”

Severus thought this through. He too had noticed how the Dark Lord relied on Lucius more and more as the days progressed, and who knew Lucius better than his own son? Severus tried to come up with another plan, one that wouldn’t involve Draco, but his mind drew a blank. He knew that his godson would have to be involved, though he didn’t like it.

“And where do you propose we hold Lucius?” Severus asked once the silence became too stifling. Harry and Remus remained blissfully silent.

“I don’t know, but it will have to be nearby. It will need to have strong anti-Apparation wards, as I don’t want him answering his master’s call,” Draco replied, finally looking at Severus.

Draco’s face was devoid of all emotions, as if he wasn’t planning his own father’s execution. He was offering his father up to the Light, and although it may not mean his death, it could well do, as he knew Lucius would not go back to Azkaban willingly and would rather die then see the inside of that prison again.

Severus shivered within.

He tried to think of another way to dispose of Lucius, but everything his mind came up with was quickly discarded. He had to admit that the boy's reasoning was sound, although slightly insane. Severus knew that the only way to win this war was to take out its key players, and although he didn’t like the idea of Draco playing sacrificial lamb, he had to admit to himself that he was in the best position to do so. So, reluctantly, he gave in to Draco’s plans.

“Have you talked this through with the Headmaster?” Severus asked, his eyes boring into those of his godson.

“I thought I would run the plan past you first; see if there were any flaws. Thought I would bring Potter in on it too, though I never dreamed that Professor Lupin would be here,” he said, giving Remus a shrug.

Remus just smiled at the boy, his eyes sparkling with humour.

“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” Draco started, holding up both hands in a mock surrender, “I am glad for all the help I can get.”

“No offence taken,” Remus replied, as he beamed at Draco.

The talk became serious once again. Draco looked almost in pain as he opened his mouth, the mask slipping onto his face more slowly than before.

“It’s just that he has become increasingly unstable. He vanishes all of the loose strands of hair, and I am never allowed in his private rooms. It’s as though he is hiding something, even from me.” A frown appeared on his face as his eyes became glassy.

“I have noticed Lucius has been acting strangely too,” Severus stated, “but I thought it was just his natural paranoia. One can never be too careful within the ranks of the Death Eaters and in the presence of the Dark Lord,” Severus finished. All the men nodded their heads in agreement.

“It’s just as well that I thought ahead,” Draco said as he reached into his cloak pocket and pulled out a silken bag. Opening it up, he showed them all what was inside.

“Bloody hell, is that what I think it is?” Harry proclaimed.

“Yep,” Draco said, looking smug.

Severus looked at the long, blond strands that Draco held within the silky bag. He was astounded at the boy’s cunning, but was unsure about the mental stability of his godson. Although he didn’t voice his thoughts out loud, he filed them away for later retrospect.

“Now, all I need is a Potions master who can keep me supplied with Polyjuice Potion as Lucius would become suspicious if I started to brew it myself.” Draco grinned, looking over towards Severus. “Do you know of anyone we could trust, Godfather?” he asked, his grin breaking out to a beautiful smile which made him look more like his age then the man that this war had forced him to become.

Severus tapped a finger on his chin, appearing to be deep in thought.

“Yes, I do believe I do,” Severus finally said, looking his godson right in the eye.

Harry was having a little trouble following the conversation between Severus and Draco. He would ask Severus later what it was all about. He knew that Draco had renounced his father, and who could really blame him after he had killed his mother? No one spoke it aloud, but it was the elephant in the room nonetheless.

So, to Harry’s understanding, Draco was going to use the strands of hair that he had procured from his father for use in a Polyjuice Potion in order to impersonate his father in his meetings with Voldemort, while his father would rot away in a cell, being held against his will.

Harry knew that Lucius deserved to be in prison, but he could think of no place that would hold the Death Eater except right here at Hogwarts, which meant that Draco would have to stay close at hand too. Either that, or they would have to come up with some way of alerting Draco to his father’s call.

Severus and Draco were still discussing their plans when Harry had a thought and gasped loudly, sitting up straighter.

All conversation stopped, and Harry found himself the focus of the three men.

“I had a thought,” Harry blurted out.

“Well, we’d better call the Prophet,” Draco replied smirking.

Harry paid him no attention as he barrelled on.

“Now just hear me out. What if we hold Lucius here, in Hogwarts?”

“That’s your brilliant plan?” Draco sneered out.

Harry held up one hand and Draco fell silent. Remus laid his hand on Harry’s back as though urging him on.

“When I was in fifth year, Hermione came up with a way of communicating with us all using a galleon. This way we could all meet for the DA, and no one thought to look at a galleon. What I mean to say is, if we hold Lucius here—oh, I don’t know, say somewhere in the dungeons—one of us could keep an eye on him, and when we see that he is being called, we could send a warning to Draco via a galleon.” Harry smiled then.

Severus froze at the mention of Hermione’s name. He admired Harry if only because mentioning her name no longer brought that sad, far off look to his face.

“It would be the perfect way to get back at the Death Eaters for what they did to Hermione,” Harry said when no one made a move to speak.

Remus’s hand squeezed Harry’s shoulder slightly.

“But that still leaves the problem of how we would know when Lucius is being called,” Severus said. “I know for a fact that he is a master of his emotions, and would more than likely hold out on us when he is called.”

“I was thinking of executing the Blood Bond,” Draco confessed.

“What’s that?” Harry asked, turning his face to look into Draco’s eyes.

“I sometimes forget that you were raised as a Muggle,” Draco replied, turning and facing Harry, but when he didn’t comment, just holding Draco’s eyes, he continued.

“In the old pureblood families there is a blood bond that is cast between parents and their children. We can feel the emotions of the parent or child, even knowing where they are if it is done correctly.”

“How come I’ve never heard about it?” Harry asked.

“Because it’s Dark Magic,” Remus, who had remained quiet up until this point, whispered.

“Yes, it is,” Draco said, turning his head a little to look at Remus. “But that is not the way that it is seen in pureblood families. It is most helpful when a child goes missing.”

“So,” Harry said, bringing Draco’s focus back to himself, “why is this such a big deal?”

Draco studied Harry for a second, really looking at the young man before him. Harry’s face was so open, so willing to listen, as though he were hanging on every word that Draco said. “Because no parent ever thinks that their child will betray them. In pureblood families, family is everything.”

Harry nodded his head.

“No, Potter, I don’t think you understand me correctly.” Draco said as he stood up and started pacing again. Harry frowned up at him as he watched Draco pace back and forth.

“Then explain it to me. I can’t help but be ignorant about pureblood families; hell, about families in general, never having had one to call my own.” Harry’s words were bitter towards the end, and they made Draco cease his pacing and face the young man.

Draco threw his hands up in the air and went back to his seat. He turned to face Harry, and the look in his grey eyes gave Harry a view of a vulnerability he had never seen before.

“The Blood Bond is an ancient spell that is usually cast when the child is born. The only problem I can see with it is the fact that Lucius would know that I had called upon that bond, so I can’t use it until he is securely in his cell. This plan has no room for mistakes,” Draco said, eyeing them each in turn, “for we only get one shot at it, and if it fails, then I’m afraid that my life would be forfeit.”

“But it won’t fail,” Harry said with conviction with his voice. “How hard can it be? We have some of the finest minds right here in the room; we can’t fail, not now.”

Remus nodded his head while Severus and Draco just looked at Harry.

“We need to talk about the plan as a whole,” Harry continued, “we must look at every angle, every contingency; break it down as we go, leave nothing to chance. That is all I can help you with Draco, as it will be your life on the line.”

Harry looked over at Draco then, and Draco saw a fire in his eyes behind the glasses that he had never seen before. He was suddenly glad that he had switched sides, for he would hate to come up against Harry on the battlefield.

***

Severus, Harry and Draco made their way toward the headmaster’s office. They had gone through the plan for many hours until they all felt that they had a good chance at its successful implementation.

Harry and Draco were following behind Severus; both were Disillusioned.

Severus said the password to the gargoyle that was guarding the entranceway and as it opened, he allowed himself to start the ascent up the spiral staircase. He felt rather than saw Harry and Draco following him.

Once he was before the heavy door, he knocked twice and was bidden to enter.

“Ah, Severus, young Harry… and Draco too, if I’m not mistaken,” the headmaster said. His voice gave away nothing of his shock that the two rivals were in his office and blood had yet to be spilt.

Severus saw the flicker of emotion slide across his face before he smiled. He knew that it had thrown him off guard to see Draco and Harry together.

“And what can I do for you this fine evening?” he asked, still holding onto that pleasant smile.

Both of the young men dropped their Disillusionment Charm, once more becoming visible. Albus motioned them towards the chairs that were sitting across from his desk. Harry eagerly took one, while Draco just stood there as though he was not quite sure he wanted to be here at all.

As Albus made his way behind his desk, Severus saw the glimmer of a frown mar his features, but when he turned around and took his seat, he was smiling once more.

Severus made his way over to the fireplace, which was devoid of any warmth. He felt eyes on his back, watching, disapproving eyes, but when he turned around and leant up against the cold stones, he saw no one looking at him.

Draco had taken the seat next to Harry, although he didn’t look quite at home, as Harry did. Although Harry was sitting up straight in the chair, he still had the air of relaxation about him.

If Albus was shocked at the fact that his two spies and his weapon in this war were together in this very room, he neither mentioned it nor even hinted at it, as he continued to smile that placating smile of his.

Severus wanted to grab the man by his robes and shake some sense into him. He balled his hands into fists to prevent himself from running across the room and doing just that. He took a deep, cleansing breath, in through his nose and out his mouth. It was Harry who broke the silence first.

“Sir,” he began, “Draco has come up with a plan to aid us in our fight.” He motioned towards Draco as he looked over to him, encouraging him with his eyes to speak.

Severus never took his eyes off the headmaster. He saw a frown cross his features; however, when Harry looked back towards the wizard, he was smiling encouragingly.

Draco cleared his throat. He was not used to the headmaster taking what he said seriously, and he had a sudden thought that this was a bad idea. His plan had sounded so reasonable within his own mind, even down in his godfather’s chambers, but now it felt like a childish wish, and he didn’t know why Severus had insisted upon going to see the head of the Order.

He knew he never should have told his godfather, not to mention Harry and Remus, but they had looked to him as though he could solve all of their problems; so trusting, so open, that he knew he could not, would not, fail with these men at his side. Besides, who would have made him the Polyjuice Potion that he so desperately needed if his plan were to succeed?

Draco had wanted to be taken seriously in this war, but sitting here in this office, he felt so small and insignificant. He doubted himself for the first time in months; he thought that it was a foolhardy plan. Did he ever believe that he could best his father, avenge his mother, and live? He wasn’t entirely sure, but as he gathered his courage around himself, he knew he was willing to give it a try.

So he did what he had come here to do. He looked into the headmaster’s eyes and told him of his plan. The old man sat there; he neither interrupted him nor berated him and allowed him to speak his mind.

Draco let out a loud sigh when he was done and slumped back into the chair. It was draining to explain himself twice in one night, and the sleepless nights were beginning to take their toll on him.

The elderly headmaster took off his glasses and polished them whilst he contemplated Draco’s plan. He had to admit, if only to himself, that the boy had a brave, if foolhardy, idea.

“Well, Mr Malfoy,” Albus said, placing his glasses back onto his face and looking down his nose at Draco, “you must understand when I tell you that I can spare none of the Order for this business.”

Draco nodded his head as though he had thought the older man would just dismiss his plan.

Severus’s eyed narrowed dangerously as he stared at the old wizard behind the desk. He had basically told Draco that if he failed, he was on his own to bare the brunt of his father’s retribution. Severus’s heart stopped beating for a second as his mind reeled with the implication of those words. Only Draco and he knew what Lucius was capable of, and even then he thought that Lucius had raised his son walking a fine line. He watched as Draco nodded his head, and for the first time, he realised that Draco did not truly know what his father was capable of. Severus knew only too well of the depravity that Lucius held within his soul; he had seen it in his eyes on more than one occasion and seen it in the flesh over the years at the dark revels. In that moment, thinking about that gaze that would come over Lucius’s face in the heat of battle, he was truly scared for Draco. Scared at the atrocities that he would face if he failed in his mission, for he knew in his heart that he could count on no one but himself to save Draco from his own father.

Lucius had already proven, by killing his own wife, that he cared nothing for his family. Severus could not imagine killing his own son, and he considered Draco to be the son that he never had, but he doubted that Lucius had such scruples.

He wondered idly who was worse, the Dark Lord or Lucius? The Dark Lord was no longer human, and Lucius barely so.

Severus had not thought about this back in his chambers; he had been too caught up with watching Harry and Remus’s faces and keeping an eye on Draco as he had paced the room. But now, hearing Draco impart his plans to the headmaster, something inside of him flared to life, and his chest began to ache. He suddenly felt protective of Draco and Harry; more so Draco, as he had truly no one out there to care or shield him from harm.

He vowed to himself, while watching Draco, Harry and Albus talking, that he would try his hardest to make sure that Draco survived this war, and Harry too, come what may. He prayed to anyone that would listen to his request to keep his godson safe from harm and for his plan to work out. Severus thought it couldn’t hurt to pray, as they needed all the help they could get.

***

Thanks to my fantastic beta, AmyLouise.

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I would also like to thank everyone who is reading and reviewing my story. Although I cannot guarantee regular updates, I will not abandon this story just some RL dramas are happening at the moment. Once again, reviews and constructive criticism are very much appreciated.