𝐄𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐢𝐭

The moonlight filled the room as Draco slowly sat up from bed. Checking that his roommates were still deep asleep, he got out of bed. Silently draped his school robes over himself, took his wand and made his way out of the dormitory towards the library.

Last summer, while reading at the Malfoy manor, he found some useful spells. One of them taught how to entirely conceal your magic and presence. This method called 'Concealment' was taught for the purpose of spying, assassinations and other such tasks. It was a kind of wandless magic. In the turning wheel of time, it was slowly forgotten as it can be only used by low wizards which, more or less, mean immature or apprentice wizards with weak magic and presence. If a wizard with strong magic performed this method, it will result in death from magic suppression and his body will literally burst as the suppressed magic explodes. It was similar to a container that cannot hold water more than its volume and if forced, it will burst apart, spilling the water out. Luckily, he is still a student and his magic is very subtle and gentle making it easy to perform this.

In his thinking, Draco did not even realize that he was already at the library. Stopping in front of the restricted section, Draco remembered what he read in the book. He followed his instinctual memory and slowly relaxed his mind as he let his magic spread in the air around him. He then closed his eyes and felt everything his magic touched as he surveyed the surrounding. It felt as if he did not have two eyes but ten, so that he could look all around him and even feel the sound of slight flutter of wing from outside the window. It was a novel experience, Draco admitted. Then, inch by inch, he retracted his magic within his body, precisely at the center of his chest. Gradually, No magic was left out and all of it was tightly looked in that small space. Draco could feel his magic forming a small, marble sized, pale turquoise ball in his chest. His magic swirling as a silent tornado in it.

Finally done, Draco opened his eyes and made his way into the restricted section, not alarming any barrier and activating any array. Everything was as it was before, silently asleep in the dead of night.

In the Gryffindor dormitory, Harry lay in his bed staring at nothing and unable to sleep. His insomnia was getting worse. He was just about to close his eyes when he caught the sight of the invisibility cloak laying on top of his desk. At once, he got up and started to think about good night walk places in the Hogward's and eventually decided on the room of requirements. Harry hid in his cloak as he made his way to the room of requirements. After entering, the room was still empty. Looks like he does not need anything. So, he just sat down and unexpectedly thought of the scowling kitty he saw this morning. Harry knows that it's weird calling Malfoy 'kitty', but it definitely suits him well.

Suddenly, a robust voice rang through the space, startling Harry.

"Hmmm, you are an interesting child. Some guts you must have to call a Malfoy 'kitty' ! But, I have to say it quite suits Malfoys to be a bunch of kitties."

"Who's there?!"

The voice spoke again, this time as if making fun of Harry, "Worry not, child. I do not come to harm you. But do tell me, is there nothing you need?"

Harry could feel the power of this man and he was no match. He could feel that he was powerful but couldn't tell how powerful. All he knows is that he is trapped. Even though suspicious, he can do nothing. So he asks again, "Who are you ?"

"Ahh, such is the vigor of youth. Sure, I am getting on my years. And for the courtesy of your question, I am a memory."

"A memory ? Of whom ?"

"Have you heard of The Golden Warrior? Eloise Herewósa, The Great Golden Warrior! That who I am.", The voice boasts with a prideful and awe-inspiring tone.

"The golden warrior? Who?", Harry asked with a confused voice while scratching his head.

The surrounding fell silent and Harry could feel the subtle pressure in the air rising.

"YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE GOLDEN WARRIOR ? YOU DISGRACE TO MAGIC ITSELF !!! HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW ME ?! DO I LOOK LIKE A FOOL TO YOU?", The voice, now furious, asked loudly. His anger was evident in his tone. One can imagine the scene to be perfect had there been an old man with red face and shaking beard in front of Harry, glaring at him with such anger that could burn the entire Hogwart's to dust.

Harry was astonished at the sudden shout and froze completely. His stunned eyes looked up, clear and pure, without an inch of falsehood. It was clear that he really did not know.

The voice saw this sight with his invisible eyes and huffed but compromised and continued in a wronged childlike tone, giving people an unshakable urge to coax, if not for the voice indicating that the person was at the age of one's grandpa.

"Anyway let bygones be bygones and let the dead be dead. So, let's look at you now. Hmm~ Harry Potter, is it? Parents are dead, giving a difficult childhood, bought to Hogwarts at eleven. Strong magic, stable body, Sharp mind. Hmm~ Hmm~ Interesting, very interesting. Child, you sure are a once in a century genius. Such power, such mind but unfortunately not much of control. But that can be fixed and in no time you will be my first student, carrying on my great legac-"

But before, it could say anything else Harry questions again, "What do you want from me? And how do you know this?", Anxious but steady.

"I do have a want. But, it is not a want to take from you but to give. I wish to give you my knowledge. I have been searching for centuries for a person willing and able to pass my knowledge to, but found none. Today is the first time I see someone so suitable, in both character and strength to be my successor. So tell me, child. Do you wish to accept this blessing that I send? I do not wish to haste you. But remember, even if this gives you a power few could imagine, it's not a path of weak. If you have even an ounce of hesitation, then leave. I won't stop you even if you are the last person that could be my successor. I see that you have a need that cannot be given by this room. You need power, don't you? To kill your enemies, To protect your near and dear. Power always follows effort. So do you wish?"

With just some sentences, this man could teach Harry so much. it's no doubt that this is a man who has experienced many things and knows much more. by the way he speaks, Harry could at least deduce that Dumbledore is no where near where he stands. 

This man, The Golden Warrior as he said, is clearly very powerful. Harry already had an inkling of it when he silently read Harry's memories without him even suspecting anything. Struggling to calm his throbbing heart, Harry thought that agreeing to this old man is not detrimental in any sense. Even if he doesn't have the solution to Harry's problems, at least he will do no harm. Harry decisively made up his mind. But a smart man always cross-checks before giving a definite answer.

"There are many idiots in this world. Stupid people who trust blindly and suffer terribly. And we are in no hurry to join their team. Don't you agree?"

"You fool! Do you think you would be alive right now if I had any malice for you? Voldemort, isn't he the one you fear? Such a nuisance! I could crush such a fly with my bare fingers, if I wished so!", It said to Harry in a much calmer but irritated tone as if an elder reprimanding his own family's child. He seemed to be losing his patience fast.

"You truly can?" Sure enough. After hearing his tone, Harry tacitly decided to talk freely this time. Not trying to hide anything. This is an obvious acceptance of the teaching. Therefore, it's also a silent acceptance of his proposition.

"I don't answer to brats who aren't my apprentice."

 Harry: "..."

" Fine. If it can help me gain an upper hand on Voldemort, then I am willing. But! Before that, you have to make an unbreakable vow that whatever you said is true."

"Tsk. Such a spoilt brat. Fine! I vow on the sky above, earth below, air around and magic within that what I said is as true as the blue of sky and the power of magic. If I said even a word false, may my soul tear in a thousand piece and disappear completely to punish my insolence!", The voice said echoing around.

Seconds passed, nothing happened. The memory was still there. This proved that each and everything the man say was absolute truth. Initially, Harry had put forward such a condition as a joke to irk the man. But he had never anticipated that the said man would actually take the vow.

"Hmph! Are you finally at ease? If not then rot! I will not bother do anything else for you!" The voice knew that Harry would agree after this much so it swiftly put a foot forward to regain its lost pride.

"Hmm~ Its fine", Harry said so leisurely that the old voice felt that let alone it's pride he had already lost, the remaining scarps of pride was also gone. And now he felt like he was stripped bare and standing in plain view of this gigantic world. The feeling of cold air between its legs was particularly strong.

The old voice was so angry that he did not even give Harry a warning and directly threw him in the illusion of life and death. The room again fell silent as the figure that was there suddenly disappeared.

On the other end, Draco was going through books at the speed of light. Books piled beside him but he found nothing. Finishing another book, he got up to pull the next book from the shelf when he noticed the scribble on the shelf beneath the book. It looked old and almost faded and hand written. The language was unknown, he noticed. Just as he touched it, an array lit up right beneath his feet. Draco's eyes blew wide in fear.'Oh no. Oh no no No !', was the only thought in Draco's head as a bright light enveloped him. And the next second, he disappeared. The books Draco was reading slowly rose by themselves and took their given places in the shelves, even his robes disappeared.

Some time had gone by till Draco felt his consciousness come back. At the same time he felt his tired and heavy body. His eyelids refused to open and his limbs felt as heavy as rocks. Finally coming to himself, Draco remembered what happened and inevitably started to panic. 'Was he found out ? No, this can't be it !', was the first though. He felt his eyes slightly water at the frantic fear. Being found out was equal to death to someone in his position.

Just then he felt a slight intrusion enter his head. He could feel the gentle and cool caress on his head as a gentle elderly voice spoke in his head.

"Hush, now. It's fine. Its all is fine." The voice was elderly and gentle but still held with it some playfulness.

Draco was startled at the voice but an unknown something did not let him panic. It was like someone had fed him a calming potion to stabilize all his emotions. Extreme fear and anger were impossible, a struggle even more so. As Draco relaxed and regained some of his rationality, he immediately started a round of rapid fire nearly enabling his captor, as he believed, from catching up.

"Who are you? Why are you in my head? Did I get caught? What are you doing to me?"

"Little one, you sure are restless. By doing this, I only meant to heal you a little faster. I mean no ill intention. After all, it were my inscribes which harmed you. And no, you did not get caught." It said as it chuckled gently at the last bit. A somewhat foolish amusement lingering in the sound.

"How did I get here? What happened? What inscribes?" Out of infinite questions in his head, Draco chose the ones that will possibly help to extend his lifetime if needed. It is better to be wary of landmines when in unknown territory.

"Ah, that. Well, you touched one of my inscribes and teleported here through the array below it. But, unfortunately, the array is quite old and rusty, also the installment of a bigger array around the section caused it to become unstable and take a toll on your body. But do not worry, little one. I am already trying my best healing you. Though I am slower as I am a soul, I can still heal you well."

The voice gave off an image of a elderly man apologizing with wrinkled eyebrows and downwards tilted mouth. The pair of glassy, regret filled eyes was a big fat cherry on top. Instead of making a delicious pastry, the image was that of a near to tears, regretful old man, making people feel guilty enough to just kill themselves with emotions without even moving a finger.

This trick absolutely did not work on Draco but made him narrow his imaginary eyes instead. Draco was still wary but powerless as well. His body was still unable to move and his magic still locked inside. He had no way to defend himself if the voice attacked him. He was defenseless and vulnerable. Now, he could only wait and watch. This could as well be the day of his death. Thousands of scenarios flashed by in Draco's head as he grew restless. Hopefully he will he able to celebrate his next birthday.

Sensing his agitation, the voice hurriedly lulled him into sleep as if in the next second he was going to sit up and kill a man already dead, "Sleep now. I will wake you up. Rest."

As he heard this, Draco's mind grew heavy as sleep evaded his consciousness. Not wanting to sleep, he desperately fought back. Fiercely counterattacking, the fatigue suddenly increased by leaps and bounds. Losing his foothold, Draco weakly mumbled, "Wait ……" before he succumbed to it and his breathing grew steady and heart beat calm.

Next time Draco woke up, he was lying on the ground in an unknown place. The room was as big as the great hall with marble pillars standing on both sides. Slowly, he sat up and looked around. His body felt like it was run over by the Hogwarts express. It hurt everywhere. Standing up, he noticed that many objects were carefully kept in here, they looked meticulously cared for. The room itself was dusty and dirty, but the objects were clean without a speck of dirt. Cautiously, he did not touch the objects but looked around and spotted a man in white robes sitting on a stone chair in the far front. The man wore white robes with gold embroidery similar to wizarding robes. He had blond hair a tint darker that Draco's, somewhat similar to his father. The man sat in a perfect and stiff posture. His back straight, head up and had his back to Draco. He seemed to be reading something. He could see through the man, Draco noticed. He came to a stop behind him and was thinking of calling out, when the man spoke, "You finally woke up, little one." It was the same gentle voice that spoke in his head. With this, Draco assumed that it was him. The voice did say it was a soul.

Draco was just wondering if he was still in the castle or not. And if they were, why had he not heard of this soul with the number of books he had read? Exactly how old was he for people and history to completely erase the traces of him or his life? It was just then that the man stood up and turned to Draco. He was an elderly man looking close to the age of his father and had a sophisticated face with a gentle expression just like his voice. Looking down at Draco, he spoke, "How are you? Do you feel any pain, any discomfort? Is there any headache?"

"Was it you in my head?"

Amused, the voice replied, "Yes. It was me. Did I do a bad job?"

"You healed me?"

"Yes, little one" the man said and Draco's head took up its job of producing a million questions per second. 'How can he get in my head ? And healing without potions ? Is this ancient magic? Did this man know ancient magic ?' Draco's eyes brightened at this. Knowing anything from this man was akin to finding a precious treasure which even Voldemort and Dumbledore will be desperate to have. But Draco was not so daft to just go for it without knowing the catch.

"Why ?"

"So many questions, little Malfoy."

"How do you know I am a Malfoy?! Did you read my memories!?" ,The speculations can be clearly heard in his voice.

"I know because I am one as well."

"You are a Malfoy?!"

The soul made a gesture with his hands and immediately a ring flew to him. The ring shone bright with a blue-green light. It had a turquoise stone embedded within the silver. At once, Draco was astonished. It was a Malfoy ring! Every Malfoy is given this ring on their twelfth birthday as a recognition of their talent and expertise by their elders. And another thing about this ring is that only its owner or his spouse can command and touch it. It has been a sacred ornament in the Malfoy Family for years. This ring signifies the sweat, blood and tears it's owner flows to achieve his/her goal. It signifies the reason to live for the one who wears it. It signifies everything they are and they own. Giving this ring to another signifies giving your everything to another, heart, body and soul as well making the person their sole purpose from now. Opposite to contrary belief, Malfoys are absolutely hopeless romantics. The same goes with the Blacks. And Draco, being the perfect spawn of Malfoys and Blacks, is not only hopeless but absolutely wrecked romantic.

Draco thought of his own ring securely hanging on his neck. He always had it but he never wore it. On his twelfth birthday when he got it, he swore that he would wear this ring on the day he became the greatest potion master in the wizarding world, not just Europe. He knew that it was a big dream but he worked hard for it. He touched his chest to feel the ring inside. His eyes lowered and he appeared to be reminiscing in a memory with a melancholic feel. The look only lasted for a second before it flew away and Draco lifted his head and looked at the soul in front of him.

"What's your name?"

"That's irrelevant, little one. You do not need to know that."

Hearing this, Draco understood that he did not want to reveal his name, so he smoothly diverted the question and asked instead, "How do I get out of here?"

"The same way you came in. You will be transported through one of my arrays. But I advise you not to do so. The reasons the array harmed you so much that you fainted was because of the instability of your body which further aided the instability of the array and ultimately got distorted."

"I have an unstable body? What do you mean?"

"Tell me little one. You went through something horrible, didn't you? The aura of death is so thick on you but it is not your. It was left by someone close to you. You are hurt inside out, aren't you?"

Remembering the things he had seen and experienced, Draco's face sank and his eyes lost the remaining light. He said in an emotionless voice, "What's your purpose? It's not like you can help for free."

"I can. I can help you if you let me."

Draco's face radiated doubt but still held slight hope, "Y-you can?"

"Yes, it's a slave mark, is it not? It can be removed but it has some conditions and success is very rare. I cannot tell you much as it is not my area of expertise but I have books regarding it. I can give them to you."

Saying this, he again flicked his fingers and some books flew over. Each of them wide enough for at least a thousand pages. Draco looked at them and then looked up with doubt but still some gratitude and worship in his eyes. Even if he demanded a price for the favor, it was fine as long as he helps even a little bit. As soon as those books landed in his arms, he sat down and started to browse through the books. The books were very elaborate on the topics. It did not have specific information on the mark but each topic had several paragraphs on it. The information was totally scattered. Draco kept his attention on the books and did not notice the look out of appreciation and approval in the man's eyes as he looked at Draco trying to understand something way above his ability. Even if Draco did not understand, he was, at the minimum, trying.

When Draco looked up again the man had disappeared. He did not know how much time had passed by, so he made the conclusion that the soul had other tasks to do. After all, Malfoys are never idle. Then, he thought about what was written in the books. The dark mark was a kind of mark that is called 'the Slave marks'. The marks of this kind are center oriented. In other words, they are beneficial to the caster but typically harmful to the bearer. It complies the bearer to obey the caster's every command and disables the bearer to harm the caster in any form. It literally brands the bearer as a slave. Fortunately, the dark mark is the most weak kind of slave mark. It is only half a slave mark and not a complete one. These marks are cast by embedding the caster's magic into the bearer's nerves and skin. Thus, if the bearer's magic subconsciously tries to remove the mark, it will harm the nerves of the bearer and immediately kill them.

Ultimately confused and finding no answer, Draco called the soul, "Umm…. Respected ancestor, are you there?"

The sound of gentle laughter filled the air as the white robed man, who is actually a soul, appeared out of thin air in front of Draco who was still sitting on the floor.

" Yes, little one?" The smile was still there on his face as he looked at Draco in amusement.

Not noticing anything unusual, Draco replied while scanning the books again.

"I don't understand many things in here, like what does embedding the magic into the skin and nerve means? Also there is no specific information or way to remove the mark."

A look of realization flashed through his eyes as the man said, "Ahh, that must be my negligence. Do they not teach you the basics of healing anymore? Who is your master boy? Did he not teach you basic healing?"

Confused, Draco thought about the syllabus at the Hogwards .

"No. Is there a need for that?"

"Yes"

At once, Draco was at loss at what to do. Then, he remembered that the man with him was indeed a healer! He could learn what was needed from him! Yes! So simple! Why didn't he think of this before?!

"You are a healer, aren't you? You can teach me the basics, right?"

Hearing Draco's words, conflicted emotions passed through his eyes as he hesitantly replied, "That - Well, I can but - I don't know."

"Please. Help me. I can make an exchange with you. I-I can give you anything you want unless I couldn't somehow have it. Please, it's a fair trade. You are a Malfoy, you can see how desperate I am. Please, at least in the name of being my ancestor."

The man's eyes hardened, "The way ahead is tough. You can't back away even if you want. Is this your final decision?"

Seeing the slightly darker eyes, Draco, with clear eyes, nodded firmly.

The man sighed defeatedly, "Fine"

He sat opposite of Draco with his legs folded and waited for Draco to do the same.

Draco understood his intentions and hurriedly copied him and sat in the same position.

Now facing each other, the man asked in a stern tone, "I am only doing this because I believe that you can pass the tests. My teachings are not easy to achieve. Now, you have two ways. First, bear pain enough to kill you a thousand times. Second, learn from me step by step and take a thousand years to master it just the basics. Which one will you choose?"

The look in the man's eyes was cold, dark, disciplined. It was the first time Draco had seen him like this since he came here. Although Draco only knew him for half a day, still somehow he knew that the man was as soft and sweet as a marshmallow in hot chocolate. Seeing the look on his face, Draco was stunned. He thought, ' Now he looks like a Malfoy'. Draco calmly replied, "I don't have much time. I choose the first one. Even if it hurts me like death."

The man looked in his eyes as if searching for even a bit of invisible fear or hesitance, not finding any, he finally started.

Draco silently closed his eyes and waited for the next instruction when he felt a foreign entity entering his body and mind, mixing in his blood and seeping in his magic. He felt searing pain in his body. His brow frowned and mouth pressed in a straight line. He could feel his brain burning from the inside and his magic stirring endlessly. He bit his tongue in an effort to not let any scream escape his throat and soundless whimpered.

Time passed and the pain continued to mount. He could not feel his body. The pain numbed everything. Unable to hold on anymore, Draco swayed slightly.

"Hold on a little longer. Do not give up." A stern but worried voice sounded in his ear.

Due to the pain, Draco was barely able to understand the words. He did not have energy or support. The only thing making Draco still persist was his will. Every second was an endless effort to live.

After an unknown amount of time, the pain gradually subsided as Draco, understanding that it was over, let his consciousness slip as a subtle magic caught him and lay him down.

A haggard but proud and worried face smiled as it looked at Draco. The soul lovingly stroked Draco's hair as he let the boy rest. His eyes held unfathomable emotions as he looked at his newly adopted son. He did not know why but Draco struck something in him. The need of cherishing him was unavoidable. So, he did something he could not have done in a thousand years. He adopted Draco. It was not because he felt like it but more because he knew Draco needed someone beside him desperately just like he did. The plague of loneliness and helplessness was hard to bear. He knew it well beforehand and he did not wish to let Draco go through it alone.

The child was truly pitiful. The love he received from his family was evident from the condition of his soul. Every magical being has an amazing soul, different from the non magical beings. A magical soul produces magic from his or her emotions. The kind of emotion one feels the same his magic behaves. But even if magic is produced from within, it's not enough. The soul needs a link, a connection to nature, to another being. This is usually fulfilled when a parent or people around feel such love for a person that their magic acts on it and forms a connection between their souls. It can be a familial one, romantic one or one showing respect and admiration depending on the emotions. The parental soul connections are the most necessary as they flow of emotions between parent and children are extreme, fulfilling the need for protection and love a child needs when young. But astonishingly, Draco neither had a maternal nor fraternal connection. Draco only had three connections, where the two sibling connections are weak and withered showing the terrible condition of the people on the other side. The last one was still strong but isn't a sibling connection or parental connection. It only shows fierce protectiveness and care for Draco but not like a parent or family. It was different and difficult to know what the other person saw Draco as.

The soul sighed and looked at Draco pitifully as he sat down and began replenishing his magic.

He did know what the future holds but he knows that this boy is destined for a difficult and deadly but great and powerful path.