"I think nothing," said the shadowy figure. "I know nothing. I believe nothing. My bottom line is not yet written. I will figure out how to test the magical strength of Muggleborns, and the magical strength of purebloods. If my tests tell me that Muggleborns are weaker, I will believe they are weaker. If my tests tell me that Muggleborns are stronger, I will believe they are stronger. Knowing this and other truths, I will gain some measure of power -"
"And you expect
"I expect you to perform the tests
Draco stared at the shadowy figure for a while, his eyes narrowed. "Nice trap, Harry," he said. "I'll have to remember that one, it's new."
The shadowy figure shook his head. "It's not a trap, Draco. Remember - I
"And if I tell you I'd rather learn about the brain," Draco said, his voice now hard, "you'll go around telling people that I was afraid of what I'd find."
"No," said the shadowy figure. "I will do no such thing."
"But you might do the same sort of tests yourself, and if you got the wrong answer, I wouldn't be there to say anything before you showed it to someone else." Draco's voice was still hard.
"I would still ask you first, Draco," the shadowy figure said quietly.
Draco paused. He hadn't been expecting that, he'd thought he saw the trap but... "You
"Of course. How would
"Really."
"
Draco held up a hand. He had to think.
The shadowy, green-lit figure waited.
It didn't take long to think about, though. If you discarded all the confusing parts... then Harry Potter was planning to mess around with something that could cause a gigantic political explosion, and it would be insane to just walk away and let him do it on his own. "We'll study blood," said Draco.
"
"Thanks," Draco said, not quite managing to keep the irony out of his voice.
"Hey, did you think going to the Moon was
"Human sacrifice would be
There was a slight pause, and then the figure nodded. "Fair point."
"Look, Harry," said Draco without much hope, "I thought the idea was to take all the things that Muggles know, combine them with things that wizards know, and become masters of both worlds. Wouldn't it be a lot easier to just study all the things that Muggles
"
A chill went down Draco's spine and he shuddered involuntarily. He knew it had been visible even in the dim light. "All right," said Draco. "I understand." Father had told him that many times. When a more powerful wizard told you that you weren't ready to know, you didn't pry any further if you wanted to live.
The figure inclined his head. "Indeed. But there is something else you should understand. The first scientists, being Muggles, lacked your traditions. In the beginning they simply did not comprehend the notion of dangerous knowledge, and thought that all things known should be spoken freely. When their searches turned dangerous, they told their politicians of things that should have stayed secret - don't look like that, Draco, it wasn't simple stupidity. They did have to be smart enough to uncover the secret in the first place. But they were Muggles, it was the first time they'd found anything
"Right," Draco said, his voice now very firm. "
"As you say," said the green-lit silhouette. "We will establish our
"Yes," said Draco. What was he supposed to do, say no?