HARRY POTTER AND THE UNSTABLE CROSSSING

Revised: January 13, 2014

Full summary: Harry's mind is set- he has to locate and destroy the Horcruxes in order to finally defeat Voldemort. Unfortunately he has little idea where they could be and how to destroy them. He may have a safe house and help from loved ones but it only adds stress to the seventeen-year-old. With so many lives in danger, Harry doesn't know who to trust or what to believe. The only thing Harry knows is he has to keep everyone safe as he makes the unwavering journey to what surely must be his death.

AT MALFOY MANOR

June the seventh. Night had fallen into the large bedroom where moonlight cast shadows from the floor-to-ceiling window and onto the polished wood floor. The floors creaked as footsteps hurried onto them impatiently. The owner of the footsteps had not ceased his walk for more than an hour almost. His already pale face was as bright as his hair and with the light provided by the moon his whole face seemed to be a glow. He rubbed his arm nervously, the wait was almost unbearable. Suddenly the tall door across from him opened, causing the youth to jump.

"You mustn't be so fidgety, the Dark Lord will not like it," said the drawling voice of Severus Snape.

"I'm scared!" was the first thing out of Draco Malfoy's lips.

The man across from him turned his head so his curtain of black hair was the only thing visible before stepping into the bedroom.

"He has arrived," Snape told Draco.

Draco's face broke into an even more nervous expression. "I- I don't want to go down there! I can't!"

"The Dark Lord already waited for a week to make sure everything was settled and to give us all some time to compose ourselves. You have had plenty of time."

"Professor- I killed someone! How can I compose myself over that for a week?" Draco said wildly.

"You don't have a choice; everyone is downstairs waiting on you now. I have come to fetch you. You must face him sooner or later before he- loses his temper," Snape said simply.

Draco gulped. "What does he want with me?"

"You will wait and see."

"Professor- I don't want to"-

"You don't have a choice as of now! Until the Dark Lord is through with speaking to us all will you be able to tell me what is on your mind."

"Are you-?"

"Your parents have been kind to allow me to stay at your home until I myself am healed. What that mutt did to me…" Snape shuddered. "You must come- now."

Draco cast a nervous look into his bedroom one last time before shutting the door and following Snape downstairs into the drawing room. The drawing room was full of many people sitting at a long and dark table. The furniture that usually sat in the room had been pushed aside. The large fireplace was roaring with dancing flames casting shadows on the room's occupants.

"Severus, what took you so long?" spoke a chilling voice at the head of the table. The person sitting inside the front chair looked up, ghostly white skin, a slit for his nose, and red glaring eyes.

"My apologizes my Lord," Snape spoke. "It took a while for the boy to come down."

"And why is that?" this time Voldemort turned to Draco who was trying desperately to remain calm.

Draco gulped. "I- there's no reason, my Lord," he added.

A few of the Death Eaters chuckled.

"Severus, do sit next to me, Draco, on my other side for now," Voldemort whispered.

Draco licked his dry lips and carefully took the seat to the left of Voldemort.

"Now that everyone is here, I would like to address one manner." He stroked the head of a giant snake who was hanging over his shoulder. "It appears headmaster Albus Dumbledore has been killed."

Draco waited with baited breath.

Voldemort turned to Draco. "According to my Death Eaters, you did it Draco."

"Y-yes," Draco squeaked.

"Interesting…interesting. Forgive myself but I did not believe you had the guts to do so. But as Severus here told me, they held the funeral for the old man earlier today. For this act Draco, you have reached highest honors to the Dark Lord."

Draco's face split half a second but he composed himself.

"You may have what it takes to become a fully-fledged Death Eater after all. This is very good. With your connections to Harry Potter himself I may have many uses for you in the future. Nice…" Voldemort did not stop stroking Nagini for a few moments before turning to Snape. "Well? Do you know of any plans the Order have with further protecting Potter?"

"I have been injured during the battle so have missed out on the finer details but I do know the Order plan to place to Fidelius Charm on Number thirty-one Owl Post Lane as soon as they can," Snape said calmly.

"As the battle has ceased no doubt they are planning to do what they can at any moment. The charms may as well be up as we speak. I will need to know of the location of the house. We got in once before but I do not know if it will be as easy this time around." Voldemort turned to the occupants at the table. "I will need lookouts at Number thirty-one tonight. Yaxley, Dolohov, you will keep watch and report to me if you see any ways of getting in."

"Yes my Lord," the two men said in unison.

"In the meantime… Severus," Voldemort spoke up.

Snape looked at the grotesque face of Voldemort again.

"You will continue to play your part as spy. Make sure you get the Order to welcome you in with open arms again. I cannot allow any slips to pass me by while I still have you."

"Yes my Lord," Snape nodded.

"Very well. If that is all this meeting is over."

The Death Eaters waited a few moments before leaving the drawing room and to their missions. Voldemort got to his feet and disappeared from the manor as well, but not before giving Draco a frightening, almost proud smile. Draco sank into his chair for a moment before his mother came to his side.

"There, you did all right," Narcissa said clumsily patting her son's hand.

"If I had a son he would make sure to not fumble his words to the Dark Lord," said the crazed voice of Narcissa's sister Bellatrix Lestrange as she twirled her and in her fingers.

Narcissa glared at her sister. "It's all right Draco, soon the Death Eaters will help your father escape Azkaban prison and we will all be here together once more to help you."

"There's nothing you can do to help me Mother!" Draco cried out. "I- I did something horrible and now might be forced into doing something even worse."

"It is an honor to serve the Dark Lord!" Bellatrix cried, standing to her feet.

"Will you leave us be?" Narcissa hissed at her sister.

"I have no need to leave, this home belongs to the Malfoy family and therefore I belong as well," Bellatrix said simply.

Snape had remained standing while the sisters argued. He finally stepped in. "I believe young Draco wanted a word with me before I leave," he spoke.

"Leave? You still should rest here at least a few more days, to heal," Narcissa offered.

"I have healed plenty. I have my own home to go to and my own task to complete for the Dark Lord. Draco?"

Draco cast a nervous look to his mother and aunt before going upstairs into his bedroom with Snape. Snape made sure the door was locked before turning to Draco.

"Well? I have matters to take into as we spend time up here. What is it?" he asked looking impatient.

Draco gulped. "I don't know if I should say."

"You will if you feel it is the best thing for me to hear. If not I must flee."

"Professor, I'm scared, I don't want to do this. I don't want any part of this or- or anything!" Draco spluttered.

Snape remained quiet.

"I don't think I can do anything He wants me to do. I don't think I can kill another man even though no one was as important as Dumbledore." Draco's white face shown with sweat, his eyes wide with fright.

"I do not know what help I can give you as of now. I have to convince the Order I am on their side at the moment."

"Then let me come with you!" Draco blurted out.

Snape raised an eyebrow. "What do you-?"

"Please, I can't do this; I don't want to die because of Him. I know my parents don't either. I'll- I'll help you out, become another spy, a double agent. Please, I think it could work," Draco was pulling at strings at this point.

Snape rubbed his chin. "It will not be that easy Draco. Although it will make it easier for me to protect you I am not too sure the Dark Lord will want a second spy, especially a child."

"What can I do then?" Draco said sinking into a large fancy green chair of his.

"What are you trying to tell me Draco? You do not wish to be a part of this anymore? To be in the Dark Lord's inner circle?"

"Why would I? I don't have it in me like the true Death Eaters."

"You wish to work for the Order instead?" Snape raised a brow.

Draco looked up. "I don't think I want to go that far yet, I just want to be away from Him."

Snape's arm twitched. "I have to go to the Order myself now; we will discuss this further soon enough."

"But"-

"There are not buts when it comes to the Dark Lord's orders. You sit up here and pretend this conversation didn't occur. Your aunt is still very eager to stay for as long as she wants."

Draco shut his lips and nodded. Snape gave him a look before he opened the door and left. Draco sat on his chair, too nervous to get ready for bed. He felt weak for admitted what he did just now but he would wind up in Azkaban or be killed if he did anymore of the Dark Lord's bidding. He could only hope Snape could do something, anything, to protect him from the man's wrath so he and his family would survive this war.

You don't know how excited I am to fix the next seven chapters before uploading brand-new ones. Chapter nine could very well be up, or almost complete by the end of the month. Please leave reviews as always, thanks.

Magical love: Rose