Draco Malfoy and The Half-Blood Prince (BOOK 6 of 7)

Chapter 30-It's About Time

To say that Potter was bewildered would be an understatement—a pretty big one. Draco reminded himself not to crack up, as much as he wanted to.

"I-I-Herm-wha-" Potter couldn't even speak, he was so shocked.

"I can't believe you actually believed me!" Draco admitted aloud. "Why would I ever kill someone when I'm obviously the only possible suspect, and more importantly, why would I confess to you?

Potter still couldn't formulate the words in his mouth so Hermione said, "Harry, clearly, I'm fine. I just had to go away for a little bit and now that my parents are safe, I'm back."

"But you left all your stuff!" Potter finally spoke.

"I was in a hurry, Harry, I'll explain everything later."

"At any rate, what're you doing with him so late at night?" There was still venom in his words.

Hermione rolled her eyes and answered, "I found him as I was coming out of the Room of Requirement and told him if he didn't move his arse, I'd hex him into oblivion."

Luna nodded in agreement. "After Hermione came back earlier today, Professor Dumbledore told her to stay hidden so you wouldn't be distracted from your mission."

Draco was very impressed at how good at lying both girls had become.

"I camped out in the Room of Requirement all day," Hermione said, "and I'm guessing some time after you left, Luna came back and filled me in on the mission. After hanging out awhile, we were leaving and saw Draco trying to come into the room so some words were exchanged and we realized coming here would be best."

Draco supposed that Potter was too relieved to see his best friend alive than to question why Draco had come willingly...or why Draco had the Dark Mark engraved into his left arm.

"Since we're here," Draco started, "Granger and I need to speak with Dumbledore about the Arithmancy textbook. Something's not right and the professor won't believe us."

Luna walked to Potter. "Come on, Ron and Ginny will be waiting to hear what you learned today."

Potter reluctantly followed her, as if leaving Hermione with Draco would actually result in death for real. He gave his arch-rival (as if forgetting Voldy himself) one last death glare and left.

The door shut.

"I really don't want to go through it all again," Draco told Hermione, "and Luna doesn't share classes with us so that excuse was out."

Sighing, the Gryffindor girl recounted to the headmaster the story of her torture and Draco and Luna's rescue.

The old man seemed to be in deep thought for a moment. "I presume Bellatrix Lestrange's memory is completely gone?" He looked up at Draco and received a confirmation. "And you saw the werewolf is dead."

"Should we wait for Voldemort to find out or will you send Aurors?" Hermione asked.

"The latter would be better," Dumbledore said, turning to a portrait on the wall. To the man in the portrait, he said, "Phineas, if you would please visit the Ministry and tell them I request their services."

"Wait, how will they get there?" Draco questioned.

"I shall have to see your memory."

Hermione groaned. "You mean I didn't have to tell the story in the first place?"

"You made it way shorter and got to add your part too," Draco pointed out, already pulling the memory from his head. He walked over to the Pensieve and stuck in his wand. Dumbledore rose and followed. He entered the memory and exited a brief moment later.