Fear.
Despair.
Helplessness.
Draco Malfoy felt his entire body trembling.
He must have walked straight past the other person just now. He'd been too eager to check on the Vanishing Cabinet—worried that after the incident with Potter, someone might grow suspicious of the things inside the Room of Requirement. In his haste, he hadn't noticed anyone at all.
"How strange. I never expected you'd become a bit nearsighted."
The voice from the figure by the wall sounded relaxed, even lightly teasing.
All at once, Draco found the voice strangely familiar… and it stirred an inexplicable sense of trust within him.
"Christopher?" He turned around, letting out a startled whisper.
"Well, it seems you've finally recognized me."
The figure stepped away from the wall, a friendly smile spreading across his face.
"I was starting to think you'd forgotten me."
Christopher Patrick's familiar features came clearly into view.
"It really is you, Christopher!"
Draco Malfoy laughed, the tension draining from him in an instant. He strode toward him, and the two boys embraced warmly.
...
"How did you get into Hogwarts, Christopher?" Malfoy asked curiously. "The castle's security has been extremely tight lately."
"The Hog's Head," Christopher Patrick replied calmly. "Do you remember that bartender who looks like a goat? I put him under the Imperius Curse near the end of last term. There's a secret passage between the Hog's Head and Hogwarts that no one knows about."
"So that's it. No wonder that goat-faced man always seemed a bit odd whenever I saw him," Draco said in sudden realization.
"Then how did you know I'd come here?" he asked after a moment.
"I noticed it the day before Christmas," Christopher answered evenly. "And after I heard you cast a curse on Harry Potter in this room, I became even more certain. There was also a small prophecy. So when I wanted to find you, I thought it would be better to wait here than wander around the castle."
"I've been worried someone would notice those little traces," Draco nodded. "Good thing it was you."
"You've been very careful. It seems you successfully brewed Polyjuice Potion?"
Christopher continued.
"Having your two companions, Crabbe and Goyle, disguise themselves as younger students to stand guard for you was clever. Though their attention clearly isn't the sharpest."
"Polyjuice Potion? That was just stolen," Draco replied casually.
As they spoke, Christopher stepped closer to the slightly worn wooden cabinet beside Draco.
"If I'm not mistaken, this is a Vanishing Cabinet?" he asked after a moment's thought.
"Of course. Nothing gets past you, Christopher."
Draco smiled, looking far more relaxed now.
"This is the task the Dark Lord assigned me. I'm almost finished. In another month or two at most, I'll be able to let people Apparate from outside the castle through this cabinet."
"You've done remarkably well, Draco," Christopher said seriously. "It's a brilliant idea. Even I might not have thought of it—let alone managed to carry it through."
"Despair…" Draco's expression grew solemn. "Sometimes it gives people motivation. Very powerful motivation."
His hand trembled slightly as he spoke.
"But that despair is over now, isn't it?" Christopher smiled again. "Your parents asked me to pass along their regards. They've been doing quite well in Sweden."
"Yes. Since Christmas, I haven't worried about them at all." Draco shook his head. "I trust you'll protect them. Because we're friends, right?"
"Of course." Christopher Patrick nodded, tilting his head slightly. "Though your trust makes me feel rather undeserving."
...
"Two weeks ago, I passed all your information on to the Dark—passed it all on to Voldemort, Christopher," Draco said in a lowered voice. "Just as you instructed me at Christmas."
"That's good. How did he react?"
Christopher asked quietly.
"Very calmly. As if everything was exactly as he expected," Draco answered honestly. "He was far more concerned about my mission at Hogwarts."
"About the Vanishing Cabinet?"
Christopher blinked.
"Yes. Voldemort wants me to repair it, then lead the Death Eaters into Hogwarts… to kill Albus Dumbledore."
Christopher nodded thoughtfully.
"Isn't it ridiculous? He actually ordered me to kill Dumbledore."
A faintly mocking smile curled at Draco's lips.
"Of course, I'm probably just the most obvious bait—the one meant to draw Dumbledore's attention. After that, Voldemort likely has two more cards to play."
"Two cards?" For the first time, Christopher Patrick showed genuine curiosity.
"It's just my guess, but I'm probably not far off," Draco replied calmly. "One is Snape. My dear Head of House has shown unusual concern about my mission. He's most likely the backup Voldemort left behind. As for the other card, I suspect it might be Slughorn—though your people injured him, and he's currently at St. Mungo's."
"Of course, it's also possible both of them are merely bait," Draco added. "Voldemort may have something even deeper planned. I can sense it. I just can't figure out what."
"It sounds like you're in considerable danger, Draco. You're opposing two forces at once," Christopher said softly after a pause. "If you're willing, you could find an excuse to leave Hogwarts temporarily and reunite with your parents in Sweden."
Draco hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.
"I know you're worried about my safety, Christopher. But at a moment like this, I can't run away. Voldemort is extremely suspicious right now. If I fled, he might turn that suspicion on you. I won't put you in danger."
"Tell me, Christopher," Malfoy said firmly. "What is our true objective? Is it the same as Voldemort's—to kill Albus Dumbledore?"
"Yes." Christopher Patrick nodded. "But that's only part of the mission."
"As for the other part… it's to kill Voldemort."