Where Two Paths Meet

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the Harry Potter story.

Warning: Book 1-6 spoilers

A/N: Thank you to everyone who reviewed. I really do appreciate your feedback and so I decided to get this chapter out as soon as I could in thanks for that. If you have any suggestions you would like to make in relation to the characters or story, feel free to do so. I may not necessarily use your suggestions depending on certain things, but critical feedback is something I love to hear, as I am always trying to improve my writing.

Chapter 5: Following the Heart

Draco lay angrily in his bed, silently fuming over what had just happened. He didn’t know why he had gotten so angry with her and was furious with himself for losing control in front of her. She had only been trying to help and he had thrown it all back in her face but he just couldn’t handle knowing he was supposed to forget about his past and welcome a destiny along side Potter.

Only a few months ago, Draco had been a Death Eater on a mission to kill their Headmaster. He had plotted and planned until finally he was standing before the man with his wand pointed at the old wizard’s face.

Draco had worked hard to get to that point. He had grown up surrounded by the Dark Arts and murder and felt no fear to hear of it, but to do it yourself was something completely different. Draco wasn’t sure if it was fear or something entirely different but he had backed down and from that action, he had been thrust into a world of uncertainty and fear, as he struggled to survive against all odds thrown against him.

He knew he had only made it to this point because of Snape. Snape had always protected him, tried to help him; even in school Snape had tried to guide Draco as inconspicuously as he could towards a lighter path. He told Draco when they were running for their lives that he was glad Draco had finally made the right choice. Draco, however felt a heavy burden being placed on him, as he realised one day he would be called to repay Snape for saving his life.

Now Draco was alone, with a girl demanding his support in a destiny he did not want and that debt was demanding to be repaid.

Draco didn’t want to admit he was afraid. He had been too cowardly to kill Dumbledore and now he was too afraid to accept that he would have to fight against his old Master. Death was the only thing he saw down that road but it seemed he didn’t have much choice.

How could you do this to me Snape! Draco thought angrily. How could you leave me with her when I don’t even know how to protect myself?

All the rage he felt seemed to evaporate just as soon as it had come. His aunt had defied Voldemort to help him and his mother, despite her undying loyalty to him. She had risked everything she had worked for so Draco would have another chance. Snape had died so that he could fulfil his destiny, paying the ultimate price. Draco knew he was unworthy of Snape’s sacrifice: he himself would never dream of letting himself be killed for someone else; the thought was very humbling that someone else did for him. 

Draco suddenly felt incredibly stupid as he realised how selfish he was being.

Ginny had been right. He was being childish, not even thinking of what other people had risked because he only focused on himself. He always had only focused on himself but now there was nothing sheltering him. If he did not allow people to help him, he would die. That was the brutal truth of it all.

Not only that, but he had been called to help the world from Voldemort’s terror. Who was he to say no when so many people’s lives depended on him. He might as well have killed them himself and no matter how cold-hearted Draco could be, he was no murderer.

Draco promised himself he would apologise to Ginny tomorrow before falling into an uneasy sleep.

OOOOOOOOOOO

Ginny cursed herself for losing her temper with him. She would have felt just as annoyed if she had been Draco.

But that doesn’t give him any excuse for being such a selfish prat! She thought vehemently.

Scowling up at the ceiling, she remembered with a sudden jolt that he had taken care of her. Despite his cold nature, he had healed her wounds and given her a much desired bath. She was a little annoyed she had fallen unconscious; A Malfoy taking care of a Weasley was not something you saw everyday.

Sighing, she wondered what he was doing right now: Whether he was still angry with her or perhaps he had changed his mind and was now willing to help her?

Whatever he was doing, she hoped that her words hadn’t hurt him too much. However much Ginny hated Draco Malfoy, she did not want to cause him more pain then he had already suffered.

She knew that he had lowered his wand that day on the tower, though she had never understood why. Harry had told her he thought Draco was a good person, despite his malicious attitude towards them. Ginny knew she couldn’t hold his past against him and could only hope that Harry was right and Draco would see that he had to help.

Now that Ginny finally had time to think, she thought about all that had happened that day. It had all been so much to take in and only now did everything seem to really hit her.

Snape had really died. The greasy, evil potions professor was dead. It seemed so surreal, as if it surely could not be true.

Unbidden tears started to slide down her cheeks in her sorrow for Snape’s death. She had never liked him, always believing him to be evil but he had died to save her. It made her feel some connection to him and also great pain in the responsibility now placed on her to not let that sacrifice be in vain.

With a jolt, she sat up and hurriedly looked around for Snape’s letter, praying that she hadn’t lost it. Her eyes alighted on the crumpled piece of paper resting on a bedside table still sealed. Sighing with relief she fell back against the soft pillows.

She was too tired to read it right now and so allowed her tired eyes to close and take her into the dreamland of sleep.

OOOOOOOOOOO

The boy with messy raven hair rubbed his head slightly. He yawned and turned to the snowy white owl that had just flown through the window.

“Hello Hedwig,” He said stroking her glossy feathers gently. “What have you brought me today?”

He looked down and saw a copy of the Daily Prophet and a letter drop in his lap. Absently picking up the letter he stared at the familiar untidy handwriting, which he couldn’t quite place.

“Now who could this be from?” He said out loud, opening up the letter. His eyes narrowed as he read.

Potter,

I’m sure you will understand the situation after you see the Daily Prophet. I am trying to do what I can to help, so please don’t do anything stupid that I know your feeble brain is already trying to do. I know you do not trust me and I cannot ask you to, but understand this. What I did that night was for a very important cause. Dumbledore knew what I had to do when I accepted the unbreakable vow with Narcissa. I had to protect Draco at all costs. In time you will understand. Until then, I hope you continue your mission in your quest to defeat Voldemort.

Sincerely,

Severus Snape.

Harry stared at the letter in his hands. He realised he was shaking slightly. With a feeling of foreboding he opened the Daily Prophet. On the front page glittered the wreckage of the Hogwarts Express.

Harry felt as if someone had clenched an iron fist over his heart. Ginny had been on that train starting her sixth year of Hogwarts. The knowledge seemed to make him feel as if he had sunk through the floor.

He had made her stay behind to keep her safe; now he may have unknowingly sent her to her death.

“Harry?” a voice said in concern from behind him. “Harry, what’s the matter with you? You look so pale.”

Harry turned around and silently gave the letter and Daily Prophet to Hermione. He watched as her concerned expression changed to shock, her jaw dropping as her brown eyes widened in horror as she read.

“B-b-bu-but how?” She finally managed to stutter out.

“I don’t know Hermione.” Harry said heavily, as he stood up and started pacing. “The prophet seems to think it was the works of Death Eaters. I would say they are right.”

Hermione nodded, her bushy brown hair swinging with the movement.

“You don’t think Ginny was-”

“No!” Harry cut in firmly, his green eyes hardening. “Don’t say it. I can’t bear it.”

Harry closed his eyes against the pain and placed his hands over his face. Hermione put a comforting arm around him, the sincere gesture elevating his spirits only slightly.

“Don’t worry Harry. I’m sure she is fine.”

Harry nodded and pulled himself away.

“So what do you think Snape meant, Hermione?” Harry said, in an attempt to change the subject.

Hermione seemed to ponder to herself for a moment. “I’m not sure Harry but I-”

“I found it!” Ron exclaimed barging through the door, his eyes alight with excitement, a triumphant smile on his face.

Harry and Hermione looked at him with rather sombre expressions in their eyes.

“Who died?” Ron joked.

When they didn’t answer his face fell ludicrously.

“Oh no, someone did die didn’t they?” He asked in a small voice.

Hermione handed Ron the Daily Prophet mumbling a small, “I’m sorry Ron.”

Ron stared at the front page, his blue eyes bulging and promptly fainted.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ginny opened her eyes groggily and instantly sat up as the smell of bacon tantalised her nostrils.

“Mmmm, something smells good.” She murmured.

Draco turned to look at her and smirked, a satisfied expression on his face. “Of course it does. I made it.”

“I never knew you could cook Malfoy.” Ginny stated, eyeing him curiously, as he turned over some bacon in the frying pan.

“Yeah well, when you live with Snape you have to do something. As you can see there is no one else here but you and me, so I have no choice but to cook.”

Ginny got out of bed, grabbing the parchment off the bedside table as she walked to where he was to peer at the food.

“Well it does look good, I’ll give you that.”

Draco smirked again and put the bacon and eggs on two plates with toast. He sat down and began to eat. Ginny noticed that he even made eating food as messy as Bacon and eggs look like a graceful act.

She sat down opposite him and began to eat her own breakfast. He really was a good cook, she thought rather disgruntled.

“Listen Weasley, I want to apologise for my attitude last night. I should have been more considerate.” Draco said earnestly, as he looked at her through those strangely grey eyes.

Ginny stared at him, a piece of bacon dangling haphazardly of her fork, which was halfway to her mouth. It fell to the plate but she barely noticed.

“You what?” She asked dumbfounded, wondering if she had finally gone crazy. Malfoys did not apologise to Weasleys, especially Draco Malfoy.

“I said, I apologise.” Draco answered stiffly, as he placed his fork on the plate.

“Okay. There’s no need to get all stiff with me.” Ginny retorted, fiddling with some bacon rind.

“You’re impossible.” Draco declared, staring at her with an annoyed expression. “I apologise to you and the only thing you can say is ‘what.’ A thank you would have been nice.”

“For what? You were the one who got all angry at me.” Ginny said bluntly.

“I already apologised, what more do you want from me.” Draco said bristling.

She could tell by the way his eyes glittered in the morning light that he was getting riled up again.

“Okay. I’m sorry. I was just a little surprised, alright?” Ginny said soothingly.

Draco glared at her and continued to eat his breakfast.

“I even made you breakfast.” He said in offended tones.

Ginny felt a little guilty now. It was true he had been trying to make it up to her but he was so stiff sometimes. It frustrated her beyond anything because she never knew what to say to him.

Draco could sense her guilt and inwardly smirked to himself. He was rather enjoying the Weasley girl’s discomfort. It seemed he could still amuse himself at her expense without appearing to be rude about it.

“Not to mention yesterday I healed you and made you comfortable.”

“Alright, alright, I’m sorry.” Ginny snapped, clearly deciding she had had enough of his dragged out offences.

Draco’s mouth quivered to almost let a small smile escape but he managed to retain his composure by staring at his toast.

Ginny put down her fork and knife and looked at him. Now was the time to ask him. “So have you decided what you are going to do?”

Draco looked up at her, his grey eyes once again gazing at her with that sudden intensity, as though he were trying to read her mind.

“I guess I have no choice, do I?” He said with an odd smile playing on his lips. “You were right when you said I was being selfish. I am going to do what I can.”

Ginny let out a sigh of relief and smiled back at Draco. “I’m so glad. I really had no idea what I would do if you didn’t help me.”

Draco shrugged. “So what is it we are going to do?” He asked in a business-like tone, putting down his own knife and fork.

“Well, Snape told me everything I need to know is in the letter.”

“What letter?” Draco asked her curiously, his eyes fishing about as though the letter might suddenly appear.

“This letter.” She said holding up the crumpled parchment that had been sitting in her pocket.

Draco walked over and leaned in closer to her so he could read the letter. Their heads brushed against each other and Draco felt her hair tickling his cheek.

Looking down at the letter Draco and Ginny read:

Ginevra,

If you are reading this then you have already taken the first steps to fulfilling your destiny.

I understand that right now you are confused and scared but your mission right now is to guide Draco to his destiny. You alone have the powers to see where to lead him. Your visions will take you to the places he needs to go.

 Draco has a very important destiny. I have done some research and it seems that he has been called to be the ‘Dragon Rider’. I have enclosed the page where you can find information about the legend of the Dragon Rider.

Things are going to be very hard for both of you from now on. Work together; trust each other, it is the only way you will succeed.

Yours Faithfully

Severus Snape.

Ginny and Draco looked at the other piece of parchment that had fallen out of the letter. Unfolding it, they moved closer to read:

There are many legends and myths in the Wizarding World but none are as mysterious as the Dragon Rider. The term ‘Dragon Rider’ was a nickname given to Sir Drakan Ikana, who was famous for going to battle mounted on a black dragon. However what made the man more of an enigma was not his ability to tame dragons, but the legendary sword he wielded. It was rumoured to be a gift from Kashera, the Dragon Queen. The blade, otherwise known as the ‘Sword of Souls,’ was rumoured to have strange powers, which could only be wielded by the Dragon Rider himself.

Sir Ikana was famous for his role in the battle against Cyras, in which he led his army to defeat the evil wizard and saved the Wizarding World from his clutches. No more was heard from Sir Ikana after the infamous battle.

Centuries later, a man who resembled the great legendary hero fought along side Albus Dumbledore in his fight against Grindelwald. The man came to battle on a black dragon and lead his army of men. He was noted for the strange sword he carried instead of his wand. Like Sir Ikana this man too seemed to vanish after the battle and was never heard of again. Whether it is mere coincidence that these parallels should happen, or something more, the legend of the Dragon Rider will remain a mystery.

Ginny and Draco looked at each other, their eyes both telling their own wonderment.

“When I was in the cell, Snape said to Bellatrix that you were the Dragon Rider.” Ginny said in a small voice, as she stared at Draco in awe.

Draco didn’t say anything. He couldn’t believe what he had just read. How could he possibly be destined to be the Dragon Rider?

“In my dream you were riding a black dragon and carrying a strange sword…”

Again Draco said nothing. He was beginning to feel overwhelmed by everything going on until he thought he might faint.

“Malfoy?” Ginny said in a worried voice, her brown eyes gazing searchingly into his own for his reaction.

Draco looked at Ginny, his expression switching into its protective mode to hide his feelings.

“What?”

“This isn’t just a coincidence. You must be the Dragon Rider.”

Draco sighed and looked away from her eyes, as he moved to sit down on the chair beside her.

“I know that.” Draco answered quietly, as though he had finally accepted he did have a destiny. “What I don’t understand is how Snape knew…”

“That is strange.” Ginny said confused, her brow creasing as she frowned.

“We’ll probably never know.” Draco said heavily.

“I guess you’re right.” Ginny said staring at the empty plate.

“Well, what do we do now?” Draco asked her. He wanted to know what it was he was expected to do. He thought it ridiculous he was supposed to become some great swordsman riding a dragon but he guessed it had to be true. Snape wouldn’t let himself die for nothing.

“I’m not sure.” Ginny pondered out loud. “Snape said I would see what we had to do in my visions. I guess we just wait…”

Draco sighed and leaned back in his chair, a resigned expression on his face. “Well that’s a lot of help…”

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The shadows clung to the room as if light knew no place there. The atmosphere was evil and sickening, suffocating the very lungs breathing it in.

Heavily veiled in darkness, Voldemort stared at the man cowering at his feet with no pity in his cold red eyes.

“You have failed me again Macnair.”

His voice was like ice and it had the effect Voldemort intended, as Macnair began shaking slightly.

“I’m sorry my Lord, it will not happen again.” Macnair barely whispered in his terror. The muscular man was nothing but a cowering dog in front of his master, shivering in the prospect of punishment.

“No, you are right.” Voldemort said silkily, “It will not happen again...”

Macnair had no time to realise what had happened as the life vanished out of his dull eyes before his body hit the floor.

Voldemort turned to look at the other Death Eater standing silently by the door.

“I want you to find the seer. I have not spent the past year trying to find her to have her escape. She holds the key to finding the Dragon Rider. We must kill him before he can join with Potter.”

The Death Eater bowed and left the room.

A man came in to the room looking out of breath; he had a small smile on his face though. It seemed he knew he was not going to be punished for upsetting his master.

“My Lord we found Bellatrix. What do you want us to do?” he asked, anticipation lacing his words with the prospect of being able to hurt the traitorous woman.

“Bring her in. I want a chat with my dear friend Bellatrix…” Voldemort ordered, a chilling smile haunting his face.

The candles flickered ominously, as Voldemort awaited for Bellatrix to be brought in. Now he was one step closer in killing the Dragon Rider; the man who would turn the war in Potter’s favour.