Walk the Shadows

'Harry, dear boy,' the Headmaster said.

Glancing up at Dumbledore, Harry brushed soot off his clothes. He really, really hated traveling by Floo. And he had not wanted to leave Severus alone – well, not alone, but nearly – when he was doing so poorly. What was so important he had to leave now? He took a seat across from the Headmaster. 'Good afternoon, Professor.'

'Did Professor Lupin tell you why I needed to see you?'

'No, sir. Just that he would take care of Severus while we were gone. Where are we going?'

'To the Ministry. A matter has come up involving Lucius Malfoy, and your testimony is needed.'

The bottom dropped out of Harry's stomach. 'Malfoy, but . . .' He shook his head. 'Is this because of the Killing Curse?'

'No, no.' Dumbledore poured out a cup of tea without even asking if he wanted any, and pushed it across the desk towards him. Harry ignored it. 'I'm afraid one of your friends has run afoul of Mr. Malfoy. It seems he has accused young Mister Weasley of sending him a hexagram.'

'What!? Ron wouldn't do that!'

'Of course not, Harry. Still, Mr. Malfoy is an influential member of society, and his charges must have some basis in truth, if the Wizengamot is willing to hear them.'

Harry shook his head again. Maybe the twins had done something? But why would they try to get Ron into trouble like that? They wouldn't have. And Ron certainly wasn't that stupid. 'No, it doesn't make any sense.'

'Sense or no, your testimony is required, Harry. Without it, I'm afraid Mr. Weasley might not come out of this very well.

'I don't understand,' Harry said. And he didn't. How would what he said make any difference at all?

Dumbledore frowned, but still did not meet Harry's gaze; it was like fifth year all over again. Harry had hated it then, the feeling like he was being ignored, and he hated it now. It didn't matter that Dumbledore had had a good reason for not meeting his eyes before, he still felt slighted. Did the Headmaster think Voldemort was seeing through his eyes again? As far as Harry knew, that couldn't happen again, now that he was Occluding all the time. But maybe Dumbledore didn't know that.

Realizing his thoughts were wandering, Harry focused again on what the Headmaster was saying.

'Apparently, Mr. Malfoy believes Ron mentioned his plans in a letter to you. He requested you bring any correspondence you have received from Ron, as well.'

'But I haven't even read it! Severus still has my letters. He only let me read one.'

The Headmaster shook his head and reached for something in one of his desk drawers. Holding up a packet of envelopes, he said, 'I retrieved the letters from Severus last night, before he was attacked through the Mark. But you will need to verify their authenticity.'

Harry felt like he might be sick. The whole thing was ludicrous, of course. Ron would never be so stupid as to send a hexagram, whatever the hell that was, and even if he was that stupid, why on earth would he brag about it in a letter? But since when had anything Malfoy did make any sense, except in the most sick, twisted way imaginable? Just the idea of seeing him again, and his smirking smile, his knowing look and his sick innuendos, made Harry want to scream.

He clenched his hands into fists so tight his nails cut half moons of blood into his palms.

'Are you