Vertaserum Chappie

[Demonic Neko]

Something happens before this.....

"Back off Ron," Eustace hissed, "I had nothing to do with the attacks."

"Yeah right!" Ron snarled. "It was your patronus at every single one of the attacks!"

"Oh, like I'd be stupid enough to use my own patronus at the scene of the crime!"

Harry watched the escalating argument with apprehension. He had better stop this before things had gone to far.

"Ron, look, don't you think you should calm down a bit befo-"

"Stay out of this Harry," Ron growled, "I know he did it, and I know he's behind my father's death!"

"You're barking mad," Eustace said, "Screw this, I'm leaving." He turned to leave but Ron grabbed his sleeve.

"Oh no. You're not going anywhere til I got some answers."

For a moment there was a breif tug of war before the sound of rending fabric filled the air.

"Jeeeze Ron," Harry said moving to put himself between Ron and Eustace, when he noticed that the both of them were standing very still. He looked to see that Eustace had gone very white and he was staring at Ron.

Harry then turned to look at Ron, who was staring in openmouth astonishment at Eustace's bared arm. He followed Ron's gaze and felt his stomach give a sick lurch. There was a Dark Mark etched upon Eustace's arm.

"It's not what you think," Eustace stated hurriedly as he pulled his arm to his chest, in an atempt to hide the Mark from view.

When Eustace moved the Mark out of his sight, it was as if Ron was knocked out of a trance and a cold fury settled upon him.

"You bastard.." he stated quietly. "I knew you couldn't be trusted."

Eustace slowly backed away. "Look, I didn't want this! My father made me do it! I am not a Death Eater!" He looked at Harry, his eyes pleading for him to belive him. Harry looked away.

"I was willing to give you the benifit of the doubt before Eustace. But now I see that I was wrong." He looked up at Eustace, finally, his eyes cold and condeming. "You fooled us all."

"No Harry! Please belive me! I'm NOT a Death Eater!" Eustace retreated back a few more paces before Ron grabed his arms in an iron grip.

"Shut it, you filthy Death Eater," Ron growled, "I'm going to make sure that you tell us the truth.. Even if it kills you."

[Demonic Neko]

Eustace was dragged through the hallways, unabled to free himself from Ron's grip on his arms and Harry's grip on his shoulders.

"Let me go DAMMIT!" Eustace yeled before he doubled over as Ron's elbow connected with his gut.

"I told you to shut it!" Ron hissed as he pulled his captive to a statue of a one-eyed witch. He turned to Harry. "Open it up."

After a moments hesitation, Harry relased Eustace's shoulders and took out his wand and tapped the witch's hump.
" Dissendium."

A passageway opend and Ron dragged Eustace inside, then pushed him to the floor. He pulled out his wand and conjured bonds, which tightly wrapped around Eustace's body.With a grim look, Ron turned to Harry.

"Go get Hermionie."

"Why?" Harry asked, not sure if he liked this new, commanding attitude of Ron's.

"We're gonna need her in a bit. I'll tell you when you get her."

Harry hesitated again. Leaving Ron alone with Eustace was a bad idea, especially with the state Ron was in. Ron saw the look on Harry's face and snorted.

"I won't hurt him... Yet."

After a few more moments of deliberation Harry ran off to do as he was told. When he arrived at Gryffindor common room he realized he had no idea how he was going to get her. He paced for a few moments trying to work out how he was going to do it, when he felt something brush up againt his leg.

"Crookshanks!"

The ginger cat continued to purr him as he knelt down to scritch his head.

"Go get Hermione, Crookshanks," Harry whispered. "I really need her."

The cat bounded up to the girls dorm and Harry waited. After what seemed like an eternity Hermione crept down, her hair tossled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Harry? What's wrong?"

"Something bad has happed," Harry said, Wait here a second. I need to get my cloak."

He dashed upstairs andopened his trunk, grabbing his cloak of invisibility. He raced back down to the common room, to a very worried looking Hermione. He draped his cloak over the both of them and led her back to the one-eyed witch. Along the way he whipered to her what had happened. He watched as Hermione's eyes got very large.

"Y-You don't suppose he's telling the truth?" she asked hesitantly, "I mean Snape has a Dark Mark too..."

"No Hermione.. He knows too much about Death Eaters as it is. Plus all the evidence points to him."

Hermione opened her mouth then shut it, and was silent for the rest of the trip.

When they arrived at the portal, Harry opened the passageway once more, to find Eustace laying on the floor stiff as a board, his nose bloodied and a bruise forming on his cheek.

"Dammit Ron! You said you wouldn't hurt him!"

"He tried to get away," Ron stated simply with an oddly detached voice.

"Ron this isn't right," Hermione said, ever the voice of reason. "Even if he is a Death Eater we should turn him over to Dumbledore.."

"No!" Ron shouted, "Dumbledore, Hell, all of them have been useless to do anything about what's been going on. This time I'm taking things into my own hands." He pulled a vial from his pocket. "Hermione, I need you to tell me the correct dosage for this."

Both Harry and Hermione gasped when they say what Ron held. It was a bottle of veritaserum.

"Where on earth did you get that Ron?!" Hermione looked like she was going to be sick.

"Never you mind about that. I got it when Harry went to get you. I just need you to tell me what the right dosage to use on him," he motioned his head towards Eustace.

"I won't do it Ron," she stated in a quiet and shakey voice.

"Alright," he said in a surprisingly calm voice. "Then I'll do it. But remeber if I use to much, it will kill him and his death will be on your hands as well as mine."

"Ron, Don't do this-" Harry began.

"Stay out of this Harry." Ron snapped but his eyes were focused on Hermione.

"Please... There has to be another way," she pleaded, "I know you're upset about your father-"

"Leave my father out of this!!" Ron roared, "I know what I'm doing! Now are you going to give him the dose or am I?"

Hermione cast her eyes down and her shoulders slumped.

"I'll do it," she said very quietly and she took the bottle from Ron.

By this time the Pertificus Totalus spell had worn off and Eustace was struggling against his bonds to sit up.

[Demonic Neko]

"Don't do this, Hermione," he pleaded as she drew near to him. "You know this is wrong."

She stopped and it was clear that she was about to bolt, when Ron took her hand holding the bottle and guided it to Eustaces mouth.

Eustace, of course, turned his head away, keeping his mouth firmly shut. Ron relased Hermione's hand and forced Eustace to face her. He then pinched Eustace's nose closed so that he had no choice but to open his mouth.

Hermione gave him the dose and watched as Ron placed his hand over Eustace's mouth so that he didn't spit it back out. Finally he pulled his hand away, leaving Eustace to gasp for breath.

Ron crouched down so that he was eye level with Eustace.

"Tell me, how long have you been a Deatheater?" he asked in a suprisingly calm voice.

"I am not a DeathEater," Eustace said in an inflectionless tone that sent a chill up Harry's back. "I already told you."

Ron frowned and looked at Hermione. "You sure you gave him a proper dose?"

She nodded, "Ron.. He's not a Deatheater, see? Lets stop this now before-"

"No." He turned back to Eustace. "If you're not a Deatheater why do you have a Dark Mark?"

"My father made me get it.." Eustace replied.

"Why would you're father make you do that?"

"Because he wanted me to be just like him."

"What does your sister think about this?"

Eustace gaped for a moment, looking like a landed fish before he was forced by the veritaserum to speak. "I... I don't have a sister..."

This caused Ron, Harry and Hermione to exchanged startled looks.

"What do you mean you don't have a sister?" Ron demanded.

"Raven isn't my sister. She adopted me." Eustace replied in a monotone voice.

"So you're not an Xavier?"

"No."

"Then.. Who is your father?"

Silence for a moment before Eustace answered, "Lucius Malfoy."

Ron stood up his eyes blazing with anger, "You're Draco's brother?!?!?"

Another strained silence followed before Eustace spoke. "No.."

Ron threw his hands up in the air in frustration. "What the hell?!? Maybe you gave him too much Hermione. He's just spouting utter nonsense now.."

She didn't answer him, but was peering intently at Eustaces' face, as if she had come across a grand revelation. She stepped past Ron and crouched low to come eye to eye with Eustace.

"You're real name isn't Eustace, is it?" she asked quietly.

"No.. It isn't."

"Tell me your real name."

He struggled against it for a moment, before he finally gave in. "My real name is Draco Malfoy."

[Demonic Neko]

"This is bloody ridiculous!" Ron spat. "Give me that Veritaserm, Hermione. I'm going to pour the rest down his throat so he stops telling these stories."

"Ron wait..." She went over to stand beside Eustace. "I don't know how, but he's telling the truth." she reached down and pulled Eustace' bangs away from his face, and he flinched at her touch. "Look at his face Ron. I mean really look at it."

Ron peered down at Eustace's exposed face. He shook his head. "This can't be possible.."

Hermione relased Eustace's bangs and crouched next to him. "Tell us how it's possible there can be two Draco Malfoys at the same time."

Eustace struggled, his eyes filling with a hint of panic, a sure sign the veritaserum was begining to wear off. Even so, it still held him in its grip, so he was forced to answer.

“Last summer, Raven, Snape and a woman named Deanna Sande stumbled into my world – an alternate universe -- while they were fighting the Dark Lord in the Forbidden Forest. They met Dumbledore while wandering in the woods. You’d hardly recognize him except for that twinkle in his eyes. Some things don’t change, even between dimensions. I was already working for Dumbledore in the resistance against the Dark Lord – he’s in charge of Hogwarts there -- and agreed to lead them to the castle.”

"This is utter codswallop," Ron muttered under his breath. "Another Dimension with you know who in charge? Thats just pure-"

"Hush Ron!" Hermione hissed. She looked back at Eustace. "Please continue.."

Eustace took a shuddering breath and went on.

"We had just set out towards the castle when my world's Snape stopped us, but Thorne ripped his head off."

Harry fell his stomach give a sick lurch, "Thorne? You're sister- I mean, Professor Xavier's cat?"

Eustace nodded. "He's a Draven cat."

"This is absolutly ridiculous," Ron exploded. "Talking about a stupid cat biting someone's head off-"

"Wait... I.. I think Eustace is telling the truth," Harry said quietly. "I didn't tell you guys before but.. Raven's cat talked to me.. He said he was a Draven cat but he told me not to tell anyone. I mean haven't you noticed how scarey smart he is? He's not a normal cat."

They were all silent for a moment before Hermione again asked Eustace to continue.

"Anyways.. After Thorne... got rid of his body, your Snape took his clothes and his identity and we continued on. A bit further on we were attacked by a group of werewolves, and the group got separated when Raven stayed behind to fight them so the rest of us could escape. We all thought she was dead. Professor Snape and I continued on to the castle, while Deanna and Thorne went to the Draven stronghold to get help from Thorne's family. When we arrived at the castle, I revealed the plan to Hermes."

"Where does she fit in all of this?" Ron asked.

"In my world she's my best friend, Snape's niece," Eustace whispered. "and the cousin of Voldemort's Heir."

Another stunned silence filled the corridor.

"Who is Voldemorts Heir?" Hermione asked quietly.

Eustace looked up his eyes filled with anger and his gaze focused on Harry. "In my world Voldemort's heir is Harry Potter. It looks like you're living up to his standards, Harry, don't you think?"

"I am not like th-" Harry sputtered.

"Oh really?" Eustace stated calmy. "Think of what you.. what all three of you have done. You're no better than the Deatheaters."

Ron, Hermione and Harry could think of anything to say as the magnitude of what they had done hit them.

"Let me go," Eustase said quietly. Ron hesitated, he still had a lot of unanswered questions about what happened in the other world and how Eustace got here, but Hermionie quickly pulled out her wand. She undid the bonds that held Eustace and stepped back.

He struggled to his feet, and Hermione reached out to help him up but he pulled away with a hiss.

"Don't touch me." His voice was low and dangerous. Hermione backed off slowly as Ron stepped forward.

"Look.. Eustace.. I'm so-"

There was a loud crack as Eustace's fist shot out, catching Ron right in the nose.

"Don't you dare apologize," Eustace hissed at Ron who was clutching his bleeding nose in pain. He stormed out of the tunnel, and no one tried to stop him.

[Demonic Neko]

Eustace stormed down the rocky dirt path away from Hogswart, wiping furiously at the tears that streamed down his face.

where do you think you're going?

Eustace nearly stumbled over his feet as the Draven's cat's mental voice startled him. He managed to keep from tripping over himself and continued walking at the same brisk pace as before, pointedly ignoring Thorne's query. The Draven cat fell easily into stride next to him, and butted his shoulder against Eustaces leg to draw his attention.

where are you off to in such a hurry? Thorne asked again. When Eustace still didn't answer he let out a sigh. look kid, tell me where you're going or i'm gonna sit on you til you do.

Eustace stopped, his shoulders hunched in defeat, his head hung down as his long hair his his face. Thorne could smell the salty scent of fresh tears and the coppery scent of.. blood? Thore barrowed his emerald eyes and peered up at Eustace's face, noticing a bruise along his face and dried blood along his nostrils.

"I wanna go home," Eustace stated quietly.

what happened? Thorne asked, with a low growl.

"Nothing.." Eustace mumbled, starting to walk off again. He got about a few paces before Thorne was once again in his path.

tell me what happened, Thorne repeated again, his large eyes locked on Eustace's. The boy looked away and let out a sigh of frustration.

"I don't want to talk about it," he hissed, "Just let me go!"

go where? Thorne growled.

"I.. I don't know..." Eustace ran a hand thru his hair, looking like a lost little boy for a moment. "I just don't want to be here anymore.."

Thorne let out a sigh, look.. maybe if we talk to raven..

"No!" Eustace snaped, "I just need to go.. I need to think for a while.. If you tell her, I'll go.."

look, i'm sure she would-

"No." Eustace stated firmly, "You tell her and I'm going. I don't know where, but it will be far away from here..."

Thorne gave a disgruntled huff. fine... i won't tell her.. but if she asks i'm not lying to her either.. he paused and tilted his head, sooo.. any idea where you're going off to?

Eustace sat down and rested his chin on folded hands. "Um no... I didn't think that far ahead... Just.. Just wanted to get away.."

Thorne rolled his eyes and nudged Eustace into standing up again. He looked around to make sure no one was about and took a larger form, about the size of a large tiger. get on. i'll take you somewhere safe where you can think things out..

Eustace hesitated for a moment, then finally gave a resigned sigh and crawled onto the Draven cat's back. Thorne waited for the boy to get a firm grip before bounding off into the night.

[Demonic Neko]

It was barely dawn when Harry sat up wearily in bed. Sleep had been hard going, as guilt ate away at him all night. He stole a glance over to Eustace's bed. The curtains were drawn shut as they had been last night when he and Ron had crept into the room. Of course Harry was too ashamed of what he had been a part of to even talk to Eustace then, but he had to talk to him sooner or later.

With a sigh, Harry crawled out of bed, only to find Ron was already heading towards Eustace's four poster. His nose was still swollen and puffy from where Eustace had clocked him. Well it wasn't as if he didn't deserve it. Harry found it hard to even look at Ron now after what had happeded.

Ron stopped just in front of the bed and took a moment to draw up his courage.

"Eustace?" he called out softly.
There was no answer. Ron sighed and tentativly pulled back the curtains and peered inside. He drew back with a worried look on his face.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked. Ron's head snaped up, surprized that Harry was speaking to him at the moment.

"Eustace.. He isn't in bed," Ron whispered back. "In fact it looks as if he hasn't slept in it at all.

"Where is he then?" Harry whispered back, glancing around the room to make sure the others hadn't woken up yet.

"I dunno.. Should we go find him?"

Harry sighed. Honestly, at this moment he didn't want to look or talk to Ron at all, but they had to make sure Eustace was ok. "Yeah.. Lets go..."

* * * * * * *
The boys crept into the Gryfidor common room, under Harry's Cloak of Invisibility, each one keeping his eyes out for Eustace. Harry noticed a figure sitting in front of the fire. He motioned for Ron to follow him and they drew close to the figure. He saw that Hermione was sitting there, with Crookshanks in her lap.

Harry let the cloak fall and whispered her name. She turned to look at him, her eyes red and her cheeks damp with tears.

"Oh..Harry.." she hurredly wipped her eyes then gently pushed Crookshanks off her lap. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I could ask the same of you," he replied, casting a look back at Ron who had stepped back into the shadows and refusing to look up from his feet.

"I couldn't sleep," she stated quietly. Her gaze followed Harry's and she saw Ron. She stiffened up a little. "Why are you here?"

Harry sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Eustace never came to bed last night. We're going to try and find him."

Hermione frowned, "Harry, I don't think you wandering around looking for him is going to work. Plus I'm guessing that the state he's in, you and Ron are the last people he would want to see right now." She took a deep breath and stood up. "He needs his space. I'm sure he'll turn up at breakfast. Till then just leave it alone.."

Harry sighed and nodded. She was right. He could still remeber the look of black hate Eustace had given them before stalking off to who knows where. Harry headed back upstairs but noticed that Ron wasn't following.

Ron stood, opening and closing his hands, trying to draw enough courage to talk to Hermione. She stood up, and their eyes meet briefly before she turned away and hurried back up to the girls dormitory.

[Demonic Neko]

The next moring at breakfast there was still no sign of Eustace. Harry, Ron and Hermione kept throwing guilty glances at each other in between keeping their eyes out on the entrance to the dining hall, in hopes that eustace would eventually drag himself in.

"Maybe he just wanted to skip breakfast?" Ron said nervously, as his eyes kept darting from the head table, where Raven sat having breakfast, back to their table.

"Yeah.. Maybe.." Harry started doubtfully, as he avoid the glare of Hermione Snape, who had noticed that Eustace was missing from breakfast as well. Thankfully, instead of heading over to them to demand where eustace was, she stalked out of the Dining Hall, most likely in search of her friend.