Decision
Marius felt a bit better after talking to Orion about what happened in the Chamber. He knew that Orion meant well when the Vampire kept on repeating that it was not his fault. He even accepted Orion’s reasoning to it, but he still could not find it in his heart to forgive himself for the things he now knew.
He clutched Beau closer to him as he snuggled his head into its fur to comfort himself. He was now alone in the Common Room, waiting for Hermione to show up so that they would begin brewing the Potion for Dumbledore. They hadn’t even found the time to speak to the Headmaster about their plan as he was currently on a business trip.
They all knew they had to do it soon. The mark on Orion’s hand had begun to hurt him more and more as the days passed. The Dark Lord was getting impatient and he was demanding results. They had to do it before Christmas break.
They also spoke about telling the other adults of their plan, but some decided against it because some of them might not approve of their plan. They knew the risks they were taking and also knew that the knowledge they found out about the Dark Lord was crucial. They debated and came to the conclusion that they would convince the adults only if it was necessary for their plan, right now it wasn’t so they didn’t.
The door then opened to reveal Hermione carrying some of the ingredients that they needed for the potion. Following her was a mass of black unruly hair—Harry—and this brought a small smile to Marius’ lips. He stood up to offer help to Hermione. He took some of the jars from her and began to place them on the coffee table. Hermione huffed as she began to open up the Grimoire, showing her the potion that she wanted to brew.
“Okay, we almost got everything other than the lunar flowers that Neville will be harvesting tomorrow night,” Hermione voiced out as she read the instructions on how to brew the spell.
Harry placed all the remaining ingredients on the table. He remained quiet the whole time, which became odd to Marius.
“Are you going to help us make the potion, Harry?” Marius beamed at him. But when Harry faced him, he looked so withdrawn Marius had never felt so far away from him than ever.
“Sorry, Marius,” said Harry, his eyes not completely meeting Marius’s grey ones. “I just came with Hermione to deliver them.”
Marius was about to say something, but Hermione’s voice stopped him from doing so.
“Are you sure that it would be best to be brewing this potion here, Marius?” Hermione came closer to Marius to show him the Grimoire.
Marius replied her, “I forgot about that, but where are we going to brew it where it can’t be found?”
“What about the room of requirement?”
Marius rejected it. “Hermione, what if someone uses it at the time we needed it?”
“Oh, you’re right.”
Hermione began to think of a place and her eyes sparkled, an idea in them. “Don’t worry about it. I know of a place.” She then began to stack up the potion ingredients to better hold them and charmed them to look like books.
Marius looked back at Harry who remained silent at the whole exchange. He picked up the cloak that the Werewolf left him to return it. “Harry, here. Thank you.”
Harry took it with a nod of his head. Before Marius could ask what was wrong, Harry already moved to pick up the potion ingredients and headed out.
Hermione seemed to have noticed the exchange. "Did something happen?"
Marius shook his head, not knowing the answer himself.
"He probably just has a lot on his mind, Marius,” she comforted him. “We did find out a lot about the Dark Lord that we never expected.”
Marius nodded in understanding and began to carry some of the ingredients as well as they all headed out. Hermione knew there was a reason why Harry did what he did and she would be damned if she didn’t at least try to find out what caused it.
“We are going to brew a potion inside a girl’s lavatory?” Marius raised his eyebrows when they stopped walking.
Harry and Hermione looked at each other, a shared smile etched on their features.
“No one ever uses this place, Marius,” the witch said as she set down the ingredients on the tiled floor. Harry followed suit. He placed the cauldron properly in one corner.
“Why?” Marius asked curiously.
Hermione just replied with what seemed to be a name. “Moaning Myrtle.”
As soon as the name escaped Hermione’s lips, the ghost came out of her stall.
“Oh, I see.” He waved his hand at Moaning Myrtle’s direction.
The ghost merely glared at him but as soon as she saw Harry, she squealed.
“Came to visit me, Harry?” she greeted in her squeaky voice.
Harry quickly turned to Hermione. “Uh, see you later,” he said and turned to Myrtle, mumbling the same thing, but he did not even spare Marius a glance before leaving the room altogether.
Marius was now sure that Harry was avoiding him one way or another. He released a sigh. He thought it was for the best as he knew being attached to any of them would make it harder for him to leave.
Marius knew he could not stay in Hogwarts any longer as what the guardian of the Chamber had voiced out. He swore he would not mess with the war. He knew just how much his existence could change it, but his promise to his Mother would not allow him to. He would still fulfill his promise to Harry. As soon as he had fortified the barrier, he will once again have to disappear. His identity had to be kept a secret at all times.
He decided that right after their plan was placed into action, he would leave Hogwarts altogether. He could use the war as a reason for him as a human to escape into the Muggle Realm. No one would blame him if he did.
But as he looked at Hermione, he remembered the bonds he had forged and it dug deep into his heart.
…….
Hermione and Marius began to create the potion in silence with a few small talks here and there. Both were startled out of their work when Ron came rushing in, panting.
"Dumbledore is back from his business trip and Harry had already asked to speak with him into Room of Requirement after curfew.”
Hermione looked at Marius as he nodded his head. They had to tell him now or risk losing this chance.
“How was Harry able to convince him anyway?”
Ron shrugged his shoulders. “You know how Harry is. He could become very persuasive.” He looked towards Marius and asked. “You ready?”
Hermione waited for Marius to reply. They all knew if the information were to come out that Marius knew Draco, he would be hunted and tortured, probably killed even, for that valuable information he had.
“As ready as I ever will be,” he told the two with a grin.
Ron and Hermione smiled back at him.
“Don’t worry, you have all of us to protect you if ever something goes wrong.”
Marius smiled. “Thank you.”
Ron nodded before heading out to inform the others.
Marius headed off to the Room of Requirement as soon as it was already time. He trusted his friends to be there without them meeting up. As soon as he got to the seventh floor with caution, a door began to open in front of him. He pushed the door open, only to find out that he was the last one to get to the room.
Only Harry, Ron, Hermione and Orion were present. They were the representatives since they did not want to hound the Headmaster with their whole group.
Marius looked around the space and the room looked a bit exactly like the Headmaster’s Office.
He felt the Headmaster’s eyes watching him and he saw the sparkle in his eyes. He looked around to see that the others were already seated and waiting for him, so he sat down next to Orion who scooted over for him.
“Now that everyone is here, what is it that you all need to tell me?” The Headmaster began, breaking away the silence that enveloped the room.
Hermione looked around. She found out that she would be the one to explain their plan.
“Headmaster, we have information that we think you ought to know,” she began with a squeeze in the shoulder from Ron. “Lestrange was given a mission. He was asked to kill you, Headmaster.”
They all waited for the Headmaster’s reaction. Marius was also prepared to defend Orion but fortunately, Dumbledore merely released a deep sigh. His eyes then turned to the vampire who just looked at him as if he was prepared to allow the Headmaster to attack him at any moment, feeling that it was only right since he was asked to kill him.
“I knew that the moment Narcissa died, the Dark Lord would be after either me or the Potters one way or another.” He looked at all of his students and continued. “Though what surprised me was this unlikely alliance of yours.” A soft smile escaped his features as his eyes then fell to Marius. “I am fairly sure this is all you’re doing, Mr. Clarke.”
Marius just looked at the Headmaster as if knowing what he meant. He gave a small grin.
After that, they all explained to the Headmaster of their plan along with what they had found out about the Dark Lord. Dumbledore then turned to Orion who remained silent through it all and asked, “What made you defect?”
Orion turned to Marius. His cousin nodded. “I have seen too much of the horror that my family has done and I would never wish that for anyone. I want to protect those that are dear to me,” he explained truthfully.
The Headmaster stared at him for quite some time before he once again asked. “But being a spy, do you think you could handle it?”
Orion sighed at this. “I was raised by monsters. I think I can handle such a task.”
Dumbledore looked at him keenly and saw a bit of Severus in the child. He who also remained loyal to the Order but decided to be a spy in order for the vampires to be able to escape from being controlled by the Dark Lord.
Ron was gaping and Harry was shocked of what he heard about the truth regarding Draco Black’s birth. Harry was about to ask Hermione why she kept this from them. But before any of them could continue their discussion, Ron began to blurt out.
“Wait, so are you telling me that Draco Black was supposed to be born in the middle of the First War?” Hermione looked at him and sighed.
Harry stared at her for more information.
"Yes," she said simply, a bit tired of retelling what she found out.
“So, she was pregnant when she sealed the Dark Lord? And made the Blood Ward?”
Ron looked amazed and scared at the same time, mostly shocked. Harry was just purely astonished at the woman. She had such strength to not abandon her responsibilities and he felt in awe.
“Narcissa was indeed powerful. That is why she had the capability of changing the tides of war,” Dumbledore told them before turning to Orion. “Could you describe to me what this object looked like, Mr. Lestrange?”
"It was a black book, half of that book's size,” Orion pointed out to a book on one of the shelves. “It looked worn out, leather covering, and it wasn’t that thick.”
Dumbledore listened seriously, then he looked as if his doubts were confirmed. He folded his hands on the desk. He looked like he was remembering something of the past. The group waited for him to speak. When he did, it was not good news.
“I have seen an object that the Dark Lord always possessed, but it was not a book like the one that you have seen. It was a necklace and from what I remember on the day that we fought and sealed him, it was giving him power.”
It was then that Hermione was able to connect the dots of the objects and from what the spirit had said about the Dark Lord’s power.
“Are you telling us that these objects were the reason why the Dark Lord was so powerful?” she asked as her heart thumped loudly that she was sure all of them could hear except Marius.
“It is possible unless he is a child born with magic.” Dumbledore’s eyes glazed over at Marius but soon looked away.
Marius flinched noticing it.
Harry then spoke up. “It’s impossible. No male has ever been born with magic, nor a born hybrid.”
“If those objects do give him power, then it is imperative that we find it all and destroy it.” Dumbledore looked at his students who looked prepared for the upcoming war. He felt a huge pang of regret that in this war, he could not offer his help to any of them and yet, they decided to protect him. He wished that their true Elder could be here at his side to order them or tell them to wage war against the Dark Lord. But alas, he was also lost to them. “The others must be informed of this. I will convince them of your plan concerning me. That is the least I could do for all of you.”
Hermione summoned the Grimoire. Dumbledore’s eyes widened at the sight of it.
“Where?”
“Marius told me about it. It contains the instructions of the potion that you will ingest. We ventured the Chamber of Rowena Ravenclaw to get it and it is where I found out about the Dark Lord’s power and Narcissa.” Dumbledore looked at the Grimoire as if it filled him with something akin to hope. “Inside of this Grimoire lies the key to breaking the Dark Lord’s power. But until I find out how the Dark Lord created these objects or whatever they were made of, I cannot access it.”
Dumbledore nodded. “I will do what I can to find out more. But for now, you all need to rest." He then looked straight at Marius. “Mr. Clarke would you please stay behind.” At this, Orion, who was about to stand up, stayed in his seat instead along with the others. Dumbledore noticed this so he continued. “Alone.”
Hermione respected that so she pulled Ron and Harry. She could not pull Orion away as she felt like the Vampire would not like that.
Marius watched as Hermione, Harry, and Ron left the room. He stared at Orion who still haven't stood up from where he sat and stubbornly was holding a contest with the Headmaster.
“I will be right out, Orion,” he told his cousin.
Orion reluctantly stood up and followed the others out.
As soon as the door was gone, Dumbledore stood up and walked to one of the corners of the room. He picked up tea cups and sweets before placing them on his desk, offering them to Marius who shook his head and mumbled a thank you.
“I am proud of you Marius. You have accomplished the impossible and have brought the races together. Something that I know I would’ve never had done in my lifetime.” The Headmaster smiled at him.
“At the least, I was able to accomplish something.” Something was left unsaid by Marius that the Headmaster seemed to have understood.
“Fate truly is full of surprises. When Alpha James informed me of your Mother’s death and of your existence—“ Marius—Draco—froze his eyes widening for a fraction. He tried to not give away his surprise and remained calm as possible. But when Dumbledore continued his sentence, his heart was pounding too erratically for his façade to be believable. “—that was the day you came to Hogwarts to take your examination.”
With trembling lips, Draco asked, “Y-you knew?”
How? was the question Dumbledore soon answered as if it was the real question Draco asked.
“Fawkes.”
Draco's eyes snapped to find where the Phoenix was but he remembered this was not really the Headmaster’s Office, so he looked up into the sparkling eyes of Dumbledore.
“Then why? Why haven’t you told any of them about me?”
Dumbledore looked away from him, sadness evident in his crystal blue eyes. “Andromeda would stop at nothing to defeat Bellatrix for the sake of taking back her daughter.”
Draco’s eyes widened at this. “Nymphadora.”
Dumbledore looked back at him and nodded. “Bellatrix took her from Andromeda the moment she was born and was raised to be her protégé. No one knew of this but I and her. That is the reason why Andromeda would surely use you, had she got a hold of you. She would stop at nothing to take back what she lost.”
Draco released a breath he was holding to all the new information he had just received. He had to leave. He had to go…
‘Harry.’
His thoughts turned back to the werewolf. But even so, he decided he couldn’t stay. He shut his eyes in determination and when he opened them, he stared at the Headmaster. He knew Orion would understand and he knew the bond they all forged would not be broken that easily. Everything had already been set, and he, the unneeded piece of this war, needed to walk away.
Draco knew that after Orion told him of his Mother’s order for him to do, he knew he had to leave. He would not allow himself to be a pawn in this war to be fought over by Andromeda and Bellatrix. He would’ve wanted to stay by Harry’s side with the werewolves but he knew he could not. His existence itself would lure all of their enemies and he couldn’t risk that, but he swore he would fulfill the promise of strengthening the blood wards first.
“You are powerful, Draco. Even more than your Mother with the right training.”
Draco’s eyes found those twinkling eyes of the Headmaster, but he was determined. “I can’t stay,” he said in a soft voice. He needed to voice it out more often in order to convince himself that he had to leave.
“I am not asking you that, Draco. All I ever ask of you now, would be up to you.” Dumbledore approached Draco and placed his hand on his shoulders. Draco regarded those eyes pleading him with concealed sadness. “Protect them—Hogwarts and its students cannot fall into the hands of anyone. Bellatrix cannot be taken lightly. She will assure that Hogwarts will be hers for the taking once I am gone.”
Draco looked down, feeling the weight of what the Headmaster is asking of him. His heart was beating erratically, his thoughts spiraling into a huge mess. He felt the Headmaster’s hand fall away. “I will do what I can, but do not expect me to stay. You and I both know what will happen if I ever stay. Everywhere I go, war will follow. Both sides will do their hardest to obtain me one way or another.”
Dumbledore nodded before he gave him a small smile. “You trying is enough for me and for what you have done, thank you. If they asked why I made you stay, tell them I am planning to send you to the Muggle realm to hide. They would understand that,” the Headmaster said, bowing his head slightly to Draco.
Draco bowed respectfully back in return as he then stood up, breathed in, and went out of the room.
As soon as he was outside, he saw the others waiting for him. Draco smiled to himself, feeling satisfied to have accomplished such an endeavor before he once again disappeared. He just hoped that the seeds he had planted would grow and that this war would come to its conclusion.
Looking at his friends, he couldn't help but hope he would see them again after all of this.
….
In the darkest time of the night, Dumbledore stood in front one of his huge windows. He watched the silence of the castle as if memorizing it and etching it deep within his mind. The wind began to blow from his opened window, making some of his parchments ruffle as a thick tome was used to dampen the parchments from getting blown away.
A single parchment caught his eyes and the sparkle in his eyes dimmed. Written there were two Prophecies, one which Albus had directly heard from Trelawney, but the other was written by the same witch whom Albus had heard the first one from.
He was baffled as to which was the true Prophecy. But between the two, there was a huge difference. One spoke of the Dark Lord's bane and another child while the other only spoke about the Dark Lord's bane.
However, as he remembered how Draco was born, he now became sure of which was the true Prophecy. Sadness enveloped his very being as he now finally understood what the first passages meant, although he could not still understand what the other passages meant.
If what he was thinking was indeed the meaning of the Prophecy, then war truly cannot be avoided if this battle were to finally end. He was meaning to share his finding of the Prophecy to the others. But if they found out what Draco Black’s role in this war was, Andromeda will protest strongly as she would never accept it. At the same time, she will do her hardest to take back her daughter.
He gave a tired sigh as he sealed his letters and began to call upon his owl to deliver them. He was going to send messages to his fellow Order members if they would be inclined to help. He might not have been their True Elder, but he held a bit of power to try and command them.
“Be sure to send this to all of them, Artemis,” he patted the owl as he gave it the letters. The black feathered owl flapped his wings wide as if in understanding and picked up the letter using its talons. It opened its wings wide and began to fly into the darkness of the night.
Dumbledore watched Artemis fly away with hope in his heart that the Order would aid them in the war. He closed his eyes, finally sitting down his chair and tilting his head to try and feel a little sense of peace in the upcoming dangers of his life.