The Siren's Call (A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction)

102. A Break

"Enough, Dolores," Dumbledore said severely.

"The meeting tonight," Fudge pressed.

"Yes," Umbridge said, turning her furious glare from where Dioleh was curled in Draco's arms to Dumbledore and Fudge. From her pocket, she drew out a long list. "We discovered this in the Room of Requirement. The moment I saw Potter's name on the list, I knew exactly what we were dealing with."

"Excellent," Fudge said cheerfully as he took the list from her. "Excellent, Dolores. And, by thunder..." He trailed off as he read the name of the group. "See what they've named themselves? Dumbledore's Army."

Taking it from him, Dumbledore stared at the name for a moment before finally stating, "Well, the game is up. Would you like a written confession from me, Cornelius, or will a statement before these witnesses suffice?"

"Statement?" Fudge sputtered.

"Not Potter's Army. Dumbledore's..."

"But-but," Fudge stuttered. Understanding suddenly flashed across his face. "You?" he whispered.

"That's right," Dumbledore said pleasantly.

"You organized this?" Fudge said in surprise.

"I did," Dumbledore said.

"You recruited these students for your army?" Fudge cried.

"Tonight was supposed to be the first meeting," Dumbledore lied. "Merely to see whether they would be interested in joining me. I see now that it was a mistake to invite Ms Edgecombe, of course."

"Then you have been plotting against me!" Fudge cried.

"That's right," Dumbledore said pleasantly.

"NO!" Harry cried. "No! Professor Dumbledore!"

"Be quiet, Harry," Dumbledore said calmly. "Or I'm afraid you will have to leave my office."

"Yes, shut up, Potter!" Fudge cried excitedly. "I came here expecting to expel Potter and instead-"

"You get to arrest me," Dumbledore interrupted. "It's like losing a knut and finding a gallon, isn't it?"

"Weasley!" Fudge barked. "Weasley, have you written it all down? Everything he's said? His confession? All of it?"

"Yes, sir, I think so, sir," Percy said eagerly.

"Well, well, then, duplicate your notes, Weasley and have them sent to the Prophet at once!" Turning back to Dumbledore, Fudge said, "You will now be escorted to Ministry where you will be formally charged and then sent to Azkaban to await trial!"

"Ah, I thought we might hit that little snag," Dumbledore said with a small sigh.

"Snag?" Fudge replied in confusion. "I see no snag, Dumbledore."

"Well, I'm afraid I do," Dumbledore said.

"Oh really?" Fudge retorted incredulously.

"You see, I have absolutely no intention of being sent to Azkaban," Dumbledore explained.

"Enough of this rubbish!" Fudge cried. "Seize him!" At that moment, there was a sudden flash of light around the room and Dioleh shielded her eyes as a huge forced knocked them all to the ground. Dioleh found herself wrapped in Draco's arms with the dust settling all around them. With a groan, she sat up.

"Dray, are you all right?" she asked gruffly.

"I'm fine," he grunted, also sitting up. Scanning the room, he instantly went to where his father was unconscious on the floor. Only Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Harry were still conscious.

"He'll be all right, Draco," Dumbledore said as he went over to McGonagall. Dioleh got to her feet as McGonagall helped up Harry and the girl. Dumbledore quickly said something to Harry before grabbing onto the tail of his phoenix and disappearing. After a few more seconds, everyone began to stir and Draco tried to help his father to his feet.

"Are you all right?" Draco asked worriedly.

"Yes, I'm fine," Lucius replied shortly, ignoring his son's help and stepping slightly away from him.

"Where is he?!" Fudge thundered.

"I don't know!" Kingsley cried.

"The stairs!" the other auror shouted. He and Kingsley rushed down them with Umbridge as Fudge dusted off his robes.

"Well, Minerva," Fudge spat, continuing to dust off his clothes. "I'm afraid this is the end of your friend Dumbledore."

"You think so, do you?" McGonagall replied. But he seemed not to hear her.

"You'd better get those four off to bed," Fudge said wearily.

"Wait, Cornelius," Lucius said. "I'd like a word with my son."

"Of course, Lucius," Fudge replied. "You may walk him to his dorm." Lucius gently took Draco by the arm and led him out the door, leaving Dioleh to walk with McGonagall.

Once they were a safe distance from the office, Lucius turned on his son and hissed, "What were you thinking, Draco? Joining an illegal organization?"

"She's stealing our education from us, Father," Draco retorted. "I get you and Fudge think it's what's best for this school but it is not. She is torturing students."

"What do you mean?" Lucius replied quickly. "Has she hurt you?"

"No," Draco lied. "But she has been harassing me and my girlfriend for no reason."

"What do you mean harassing?" Lucius replied cautiously.

"I mean we can't walk down a hallway together without her lecturing us about being within three feet of each other," Draco said snappishly. "She gave my girlfriend two weeks detention for it and do you know what she means by detention? No, of course you don't because I doubt even Fudge knows. She's using a Blood Quill." Lucius paled.

"On you?"

"No!" Draco snapped. "Father, not everything is about me! She is hurting people, innocent people!"

"And you need to get on her good side," Lucius retorted. "If you are to get anywhere, Draco, you must gain the approval of your teachers here, including her. Leave your girlfriend if need be."

"Father-" Draco protested.

"I'm not saying you have to," Lucius said calmly. "But you must do whatever it takes to survive so that later you can thrive."

"Even if it means I lose my humanity in the process?" Draco said. "Father, I listened to you for so many years and although I truly do appreciate everything you have done for me, I will never understand how you live like this." Lucius drew in a deep breath.

"Draco, I just want what is best for you, best for us," he said.

"I know, Father," Draco replied. "And I do appreciate it, but...have you ever thought that maybe everything we have gotten isn't worth all it has cost us? Do you really think the Malfoy reputation can survive another war?"

"It will if we win," Lucius insisted. "Now stop with all this nonsense. Get your head back on straight, Draco. Get Umbridge to back you. Do what you have to." After a short hesitation, he added, "And invite your girlfriend over sometime. I would like to meet her."

"You already have," Draco replied.

"The Granger girl, then?" Lucius said. Draco could tell he was struggling with himself. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised," he said finally, "Just make sure she's not distracting you from your mission."

"She's not," Draco said. "But I still don't have an answer for the Dark Lord."

"Well, come up with one quickly, before it's too late," Lucius hissed. "He expects an answer by the summer."

"I'll have one by then," Draco promised.

"Good," Lucius said. "Now, go get some sleep. You have classes tomorrow." Draco nodded, giving his father one last look before disappearing into the Slytherin Common Room. As Lucius was walking out of the dungeons to leave the school, he spotted McGonagall with Dioleh walking past. He frowned slightly, reflecting just as he had the last time he saw her on her brightly coloured hair.