The Boy: Brandon Dursely

Chapter 28: Resuming of Term and the Stone

"The parcel," Draco reminded, "Open it up."

"You promised to tell me something, Draco," Harry reminded back.

"How about after you open that parcel?"

"What's wrong with before? Why don't I open while you tell it to me, then? "

Harry smirked in victory as he saw Draco rolled his eyes, "Fine," he groaned.

Hary fumbled with the parcel and ripped it open. While he did so, Draco started to tell him what happened one night during the Holidays.

Draco couldn't sleep. The sugar from the sweets that was given to him was still in his system and he couldn't stay put. It was already way past his bedtime. After a few moments of counting the stars like his Father taught him to, Draco decided to go out of his room and wander around their Manor. Maybe he can find Mother and Father, and tell them about his problem about falling asleep.

Draco saw his Mother as she strode inside the room, where her husband was sitting, clearly deep in thought. Draco was about to enter excitedly, but he saw the look in Father's eyes. Lucius was looking so scared. Draco rarely saw that look on Father's face, and he knew instantly that something was wrong.

"What is it, Love?"

"Cissy," Lucius said, standing up, his brandy in hand. Narcissa led Lucius with a hand upon the sette and so they sat side by side, "Cissy, the Stone!"

"What is it? What Stone? You look troubled, my Love," Narcissa held that tone of worry she used with Draco when Draco wasn't feeling any good. Draco knew that eavesdropping was wrong, but he couldn't stop himself from listening. The word 'Stone' triggered his curiousity, and he knew right then and there that it was something important. Something dangerous.

"Oh Merlin, Cissy, what have I done? I should have sought it out first. I shouldn't have let it slide. He's trying to get his hands on it, Cissy! I had to trust Dumbledore on this one," Lucius rambled, "And Severus... Oh Sweet Merlin, Narcissa. Severus is in danger. That ward of his. The boy."

"What about him, Lucius, and of his ward? I do not understand what you want to tell me, Lucius. Please calm down, it's scaring me. Please, Love, before you wake our Dragon up."

Lucius heaved a lungful of air and Narcissa leaned against her husband. Draco still watched, his eyes wide, "Do you remember the Dark Lord, when he said he has found a way to make himself immortal? Cissy, he was referring to the Stone. The Philosopher's Stone."

At the mention of the Dark Lord, how Draco wanted to ran right in there and hear the comfort from his parents. Draco had known about the Dark Wizard, from the story of his Father to others' lips. Everytime, it was always a scary event. Sometimes, it would end up to Lucius holding him, tears from his Father's eyes and Draco himself would cry from the anguish of his Father.

Narcissa looked up to her husband, "What do you mean, Lucius? The Philosopher's Stone is just a myth. The Dark Lord is gone, never to come back. Draco is safe. We all are now."

"No," Lucius shook his head, "No, Narcissa, no. He is alive. I have felt the Burn when I went to fetch Draco from Hogwarts for the holidays. I can sense Him near."

"Lucius, you are just getting paranoid again. Maybe, you just mistook it for something else. Do you want to see Healer Julliards? Maybe he can help."

But Lucius was adamant. Draco, although afraid, was still listening. Wasn't Bran his godfather's ward? What will become of them? And the Philosopher's Stone? He thought it was just one of Father's tales!

"The Philosopher's Stone is real, Narcissa. I have seen it with my own eyes. Before he was obliterated, the Dark Lord sought after Nicolas Flamel and his wife and he has found them. I was there, Narcissa. I was there. Severus was there. I watched as Riddle tried to destroy their memories and take the Stone for himself, but failed."

Narcissa suddenly looked afraid, and Draco wanted so much to run to her and hug her and tell that they are there to take care of her. But Draco knew that they can't, because Lucius himself was afraid. They can't and won't lie to each other; it was their unspoken Oath.

"If you were there, my Love, why hadn't I heard about this before?"

"Because I myself had to make sure that what I saw that night was real. I searched and searched, together with Severus. Now, it appears someone is out to get it. Snape said he had a hunch, but he won't tell me who. He said that he had to destroy that person before it endangers his ward."

Narcissa gasped. Lucius grasped her hands to his and held them tight, "But you need not worry, Cissy. I will make sure that our boy is safe. I have to make sure Severus' boy is safe, too. I owe Severus too much. I just need your permission for me to investigate. Please."

"But," Narcissa was starting tear up, "Do you promise to keep your self safe, too, Lucius? I can't lose you. Dragon can't lose you, too. He needs his Father. I need you."

"Yes," Lucius swore, "Yes, Narcissa. This I swear. I love you. I love you and Draco too much."

Then Lucius, with a flick of his wand, closed the door silently.

Draco was crying by the end of it. He had a nightmare that night, about his Father dying and Brandon being chased by a scary being and dying by the end of it. Narcissa was there to wake him up and comfort her distraught son.

As Draco finished his tale, Harry was looking at him with interest. The parcel was still a unopened.

"The Stone, the Philosopher's Stone, your Father said? But... Drake, we tried to find it; Hermione and I. All the books said it was a myth. We cannot ask Hagrid the Half Giant. He's wary with Slytherins," Harry wondered out loud. His gree eyes was lost in a thoughtful daze and suddenly, they glimmered, "I wonder if..."

Draco eyed his friend. What was this boy up to?

"Why don't you open up the parcel, Bran? Then we can talk about whatever."

"Alright."

Harry fumbled with the wrapping a bit, but Draco helped him out. Finally, Harry revealed a silky, invisible cloth, running like water under his palm. Both the boys were awed the sight and Draco murmured, "The Invisibility Cloak."

"The what?"

"The Invisibility Cloak. Why don't you try it om, Bran?"

Harry stood, the Cloak enveloped Harry's small frame, then making him invisible. Onky Harry's head remained, with his lips grinning.

"This is brilliant!" Harry shrieked, but Draco put a finger on his lips, signalling his friend to keep it down.

"Sorry," Harry apologized, "but this is swell!"

"I know," Draco mused, his voice almost a whisper, "do you think the Professor has sent this to you?"

Harry's eyes widened. From his Professor? Oh, he must have paid a lot for it! Draco himself looked awed and he was the sort to rarely look awed.

"Oh look, Bran, a card," Draco exclaimed, bending down to pick the card. The boys read the card, "Use it well."

"That's cryptic. Definitely from the Professor. What does that mean?" Draco asked. Harry only shrugged.

"Maybe I'll ask him tomorrow. But for now, I would like to catch on some sleep," Harry said. He then blowed the fire out, and the boys scampered to bed, the Invisibility Cloak in hand.