“Listen,
Draco and I will meet you back in the dorm room in about fifteen
minutes,” Harry said. “I need to speak with you.”
Harry told Draco. “We’re
going on up,” Ron told them as they split and headed toward the
Tower. “Must
be time for a dose,” Seamus said and everyone agreed. When in
the den, Harry and Draco took their relief injection. “Draco,
I need to know if you can do that dark art blood ritual,” Harry
asked. “Yes,
I can do it,” Draco said almost sadly. “It requires a
level seven. I’m a level nine. But…you’ll have to
give the blood and…I’ll have to take it from you. Since
you are not the owner of the wand in question, you’ll have to
bear a pentagram on your chest over your heart signifying your
willingness to take part in the ritual. The only other things we’ll
need you can conjure with a spell. I’ll need a solid silver
knife with a glass tip blade and a solid silver cup to take the
blood.” Harry nodded slowly. “I
still want to do it,” Harry said. “I can heal the cut
wounds myself. Can you do it? Will you take the blood?” Draco
breathed heavily for a moment. “I
don’t want to do it,” Draco said. “But I will if
that’s what you want.” “I
don’t want to force you to perform a dark art,” Harry
said. “I’d rather not do it if that’s your
concern.” “No,
it’s no that at all,” Draco said. “The blood rite
is a relatively mild dark art ritual. I am just apprehensive
about…cutting the mark of darkness into the skin of not only
the person I love, but the one shining light in the eyes of the
Wizarding world. For me as a dark wizard to take blood from you,
would be the highest of honors of the dark. But I don’t seek
that honor, Harry.” Harry reached out to take Draco’s
hand. “We
won’t do it then,” Harry said softly. “I
will do it,” Draco said. “If you want to have this
ritual, I can perform it easily. I just hate to see you in pain.” “Get
used to it,” Harry said seriously. “You will see me in
pain as long as we’re together and I promise you that. My life
is nothing but pain and fucking misery over half the time. But on the
bright side…I now have you. And I’m in love with you and
I’ve never had that before. So maybe my life is taking a turn
for the better.” Harry smiled with affection. “I
love you, Harry,” Draco said. “I am honestly in love with
you and it’s so good that I keep thinking I’m dreaming
it. I’m afraid I’ll wake from this dream.” “This
is real,” Harry said squeezing the hand he held. “Feel my
hand in yours, Draco. This is me loving you with all I am and I’m
not letting go of this thing we’ve found together. This is the
best thing I’ve ever had in my fucking life and by god I will
fight to keep it.” Harry’s bright eyes held that promise
so strongly that Draco feared tears. “So
will I,” Draco almost choked out fighting back the stinging in
his eyes. “We’d better go.” Draco said and they
exited the den. “So I can shred you to bits.” Harry put
his arm around Draco for a moment to squeeze him tightly from the
side but dropped his arm quickly when they rounded the corner to
student voices in the hallway. “I
hate this,” Harry said of having to not show his affections
publicly. “Not
much longer,” Draco tried to lift their mood. “Then we’ll
show them all.” “I
can’t even hold your hand,” Harry complained quietly.
Draco moved a bit closer to Harry and each took a two-finger handhold
that could be dropped quickly. “Better than nothing.”
Draco nodded. The walk up to the Gryffindor tower was uneventful.
Once again as they entered the common room, stares were given. Each
student in the common room watched them walk across the room and
start up the stairs to the boys’ dorms. When Harry and Draco
entered, the couples were paired off kissing. “This
is good,” Draco grinned. “We can do this, too.”
Draco dragged Harry over to Harry’s bed and they curled up
together and were able to enjoy a nice long kissing session together
before Neville broke the mood. “Harry,
do you have that bone?” Neville asked. Draco and Harry laughed
together on the bed. “Not
a good thing to be asking right now, Neville,” Draco quipped.
Harry dug into his pocket to toss Neville the pouch containing the
bone of which Neville spoke. “One bone down so far.”
Draco whispered into Harry’s ear before they laughed softly to
the other. “We’ll
take care of two more later,” Harry whispered onto Draco’s
cheek on the way down to his neck where he gave a lick and a bite.
Draco gave a small moaned breath that almost drove Harry off the
edge. “I want you so bad right now,” Harry barely
breathed the words as he swept his lips over Draco’s skin. “You
do realize that it’s my turn next,” Draco said in that
teasing way. “Yes,
I realize that,” Harry said raised back to look into the stormy
gray eyes of his lover. “But it’s all good with you.” “I
think I can safely say that this bone is thirty seven years old,”
Neville said. “How
can you be so accurate?” Seamus asked. “Simple.
The acid I used to determine date is magically enhanced to tell me
the age,” Neville said. “The smoke color when the acid
stops burning into the surface of the bone tells of the exact age.
I’ve done this enough to know exactly the color variations.” “Thirty
seven years,” Hermione said. “Harry, how old was Lily
when she had you?” “Twenty,”
Harry said. “And I’m seventeen now so…that would
be three years after she graduated.” “The
female in question would have to have been seventeen as well when she
died,” Hermione did the math. “So she was probably a
seventh year student the year your mother graduated.” “Okay,”
Harry and Draco sat up and adjusted themselves. “We need to
know two things.” “And
they are what?” Ron asked. “First,
did my mum report her wand missing? And second was it her wand that
killed this girl?” Harry told them. “After we know both
of these, I’m going to Albus and demand to know more. He’ll
love that.” “McGonagall
is holding detention tonight with the students,” Dean said. “And
tonight is still the full moon,” Hermione said. “So we
can’t ask Lupin until four more days when he returns.”
Harry nodded and then looked to Draco. “Are
we ready to do this?” Harry asked. “Whenever
you are,” Draco said. “We’ll need a space with at
least and eight by eight square.” “What
do you mean? The dark art blood ritual?” Ron asked. Both
nodded. “Are
you sure about that?” Dean asked. “I
don’t know if I want to see that,” Neville said. “Lighten
up, Neville,” Debbie said. “This is very educational.” “Yes,
Neville,” Draco said. “Come watch me slice up Potter like
some glorified Death Eater should.” “What
do you mean slice him up?” Seamus asked. “It’s
not a big deal,” Harry said. “Draco, we can go to any of
the training rooms or…” Harry looked up into space for a
moment in thought. “I’ve got the perfect place. Come on.
Draco, get the wand.” Draco reached over and brought the wand
with them. The group descended the stairs of the boys’ dorm
again, trudged through the common room to the many stares of the
onlookers again and went through the portrait hole. Harry led walking
quickly down the corridors through several lefts and rights when he
walked up to one portrait moved his finger over it in some figure and
it popped. Harry pushed one side of the portrait that swung back and
they all entered. “Lumos
torchelia estelas grandus maxius,” Harry said and the bright
torches flamed up to show a very large empty room. “Where
do you find these rooms?” Seamus asked. “I
know stuff,” Harry said. “Draco, what do you need?” “You.
Naked,” Draco said. “Fine,”
Harry said pulling off his shirt. “Not
completely. That will do…for now anyway,” Draco said
with a smirk. “Damn,”
Harry said. “Tell me exactly what you want and I’ll make
it.” Draco described exactly the knife required. Solid silver
with a leaded glass tip and nine parsets long. Harry concentrated,
closed his eyes and cupped his hands together for several minutes. A
light shone from the gaps between his fingers and with a flick of his
wrist the perfect knife was created. Harry handed it to Draco.
“Perfect,”
Draco said. “Now a small three footed bowl, solid silver with a
slit on one side halfway down to hold the knife blade.” Harry
looked a bit confused. “I’m
not sure what you mean,” Harry said. “Cup your hands and
show me the size.” Draco did so and Harry got it. With a bit of
concentration, Harry held out his palm and moved his other finger in
circles over it until the bowl was formed. “Is that right?” “Make
the slit a bit deeper and the feet on the bowl a bit longer,”
Draco asked. Harry modified the bowl again until it was made.
“Perfect.” Harry handed it out to Draco who took it from
underneath. “I’ll also need a bowl of white chalk and
then…” Draco took a long sigh. “A lock of your
hair.” “Fine,”
Harry said grinning. Harry conjured up a small wooden bowl of white
chalk dust and handed it to Ron. “What else?” “Hold
these,” Draco handed the bowl and knife to Harry. Draco took
chalk and with a move of his own hand and a spell, a circle on the
floor appeared on the floor for him to trace with the chalk. Draco
turned to all of them. “Don’t ever repeat or reveal what
I will do here in this room. I could be prosecuted for performing a
dark art at Hogwarts.” “And
I’ll hunt the one down and do some damage if this gets out. We
all understand that?” Harry asked them. Everyone nodded. Harry
looked to Draco and each nodded to begin. Draco dusted the chalk
perfectly with a practiced hand as he muttered incantations. Soon the
chalk line was finished. “No
one step inside the circle,” Draco said as he walked to Harry.
“You will have to be bound by your wrists behind you with cords
of dried vine. Can you conjure that or will we need to get it from
the forest?” “I
can conjure it,” Harry said. “Any particular length? I
would think that this would require a four foot length.” “You
are exactly right,” Draco grinned. “For a DADA, you know
your DA.” “Dark
Arts is my life, Draco,” Harry teased as he did some waving
motion with his hand and muttered a spell. The vines appeared and
Harry handed them to Draco. “Okay.
Here’s what will happen,” Draco said. “First I’ll
bind your wrists and take the lock of hair. The hair will go into the
bowl first. Then I’ll have to cut the symbol and take the blood
to be added to the bowl. About eight flagets of blood will be needed,
so…the cut will need to be a bit deep.” Harry nodded.
“Then I’ll take the wand tip and draw the symbol on the
bone. Then I will leave you in the circle. If the wand was the one
that killed the one who died, then the chalk line will glow green and
smoke like the green smoke and spell light of the killing curse. If
that wand is not the wand, the chalk line will disappear immediately.
And, Harry, you may feel a bit weak in the circle because of who you
are.” “I
know that,” Harry said. “I’m dark art
hypersensitive. I’ll puke, but don’t worry about it. Just
have me a bucket ready.” Draco nodded. “Are
you ready?” Draco asked. Harry nodded. “I
can’t watch this,” Neville said. “Neville,
grow a set of balls, man,” Seamus said. “We need to know
this shit someday. Not that we’ll use it, but that we know
about it for our own protection and stuff.” “Seamus
is right,” Hermione said. “Never step into a chalk
circle. Ever. Sometimes the spells linger within them and can even do
permanent damage to a wizard.” “I’m
ready,” Harry said quietly. Draco took Harry’s face in
his hands and kissed him with the fullest of love. They each pulled
away and Harry put his hands behind his back. Draco went around to
bind his wrists tightly. “So
let me get this straight,” Dean said. “You, Harry Potter,
are taking part in a dark art blood ritual willingly where a Death
Eater is tying you up and cutting you with a knife?” “Yes,
that would be correct,” Harry said with a grin. “Ironic
isn’t it?” Draco laughed softly. “But Draco is into
the bondage thing.” “Shut
up,” Draco said as he finished the last knot on the vines.
“Okay. Time for a trim.” “If
you cut a chunk out of that head of hair nobody will even notice,”
Ron insulted. “I’ll
notice,” Draco said as he picked up the knife to cut the hair.
“Hermione, where could I cut this hair so that it won’t
be so bad?” “Just
do it. I can fix it later,” Harry said. “I’ll put
it back, don’t worry about it.” “Fine,”
Draco said flatly. He pulled out a long lock and sliced it at the
scalp before dropping it into the silver bowl. “I
cannot believe you are doing this,” Hermione said to Harry. “Lighten
up, Herm,” Harry said. Draco put the bowl with the hair, the
wand, bone, and the knife in the circle before looking to Harry and
pointing to a spot in the center of the circle. Harry took a deep
breath and took his stance. “You
have kneel,” Draco said softly choking out the words. Harry
dropped to his knees and looked up to Draco with those beautiful
emerald eyes so full of love and trust that it almost ate away
Draco’s soul. Draco took a look at the others in the room
watching him almost fearfully. “Harry, I can’t do it.” “Draco,
please,” Harry said firmly. “Do this. Don’t worry.
I’ll be fine. It’s nothing. Remember the pain curse? I
know you’ve had it as many times as I have. Can you tell me
that this small cut is worse?” “But
I never gave it to you,” Draco said. “You
don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” Harry
said. “But I want to know about my mum. I have no other way of
knowing on my own without your help. You said you wanted to help me
with things. Remember that?” “But
that doesn’t require me to use the dark arts that I’ve
been trying my whole life not to use,” Draco said. “Harry,
you know I’m trained as a fucking dark wizard. And I thought I
wouldn’t have to do this ever again. And now you, of all
people, are asking me to?” “Okay,”
Harry said. “We don’t have to do this. If you’re
just that weak and pathetic of a wizard that can’t even do what
you were trained for then that’s fine.” “Don’t
do that,” Draco said. “I’m
sure Lucius would be very proud, Draco,” Harry was getting his
point across. “His own Malfoy heir and a DE besides having the
chance to cut the skin of his enemy for some little blood rite and
you can’t even do it?” “Harry,
stop,” Draco said with a scowl. “Then
do this,” Harry spat hatefully. “Take the fucking knife
and make the damn mark. It’s one cut, dammit. You’re the
only one who can do it, so do it already.” “Fine!”
Draco spat and took the knife. “This will hurt.” Harry
nodded and set his jaw. Draco began to cut a deep circle over Harry’s
heart. Harry closed his eyes and clenched his jaw as the heat and
searing of his skin threatened to make him scream. The others turned
their heads as the knife sliced through the skin and muscle. Blood
poured over Harry’s chest in dark red gushes. Draco didn’t’
look to Harry’s face as he made the complete pentagram. Draco
held the bowl under the symbol and collected the blood as a tear
rolled over his cheek. When enough blood was collected, Draco stepped
back and put the bowl in front of a kneeling Harry. The knife blade
was put through the slit on the bowl in a certain way and Draco took
the wand tip and stirred it clockwise and counterclockwise muttering
some incantations. The same symbol was drawn on the bone and both
were laid crossed in the circle. Draco stepped back from the circle
and said several other long enchantments. When Draco took several
steps back from the circle the others did also. Draco could tell
Harry was almost faint and sick by the way he swallowed and was
beginning to sway just a bit. After a few moments, the chalk began to
sizzle and then turned green with smoke rising from it. Harry’s
gaze locked onto Draco’s and each nodded. “Oh
no,” Hermione said quietly. “That means that Lily’s
wand was responsible for that girl’s death.” Draco walked
quickly to Harry and untied his hands. “Bucket,”
Harry said on the verge of sickness. Draco did a quick conjure of a
bucket and had just handed it to Harry when he vomited into it
repeatedly for several minutes as Draco rubbed his back. “It’s
okay,” Draco said in comfort. “You’ll be alright.
Just breathe and it will pass. You are very sensitive, Harry.” “He
is,” Hermione confirmed. “Harry gets blisters in his
mouth when he says over level six dark arts incantations.” “You
do?” Draco asked. Harry nodded as he pulled up from the bucket. “Yeah,
I do,” Harry said weakly. “Draco, give me a healing
spell.” Draco moved his hand over Harry’s chest to heal
the cut without any scars. “Not bad. I’m impressed.” “As
many times as I’ve used that, I should know how to do it,”
Draco said. “You feeling better?” Harry nodded before
vanishing the bucket. Harry laid his hand on his mouth and
concentrated for a moment. “Oh
that’s much better,” Harry said. “What
was that spell?” Debbie asked. “It’s
similar to brushing your teeth and gargling,” Harry said. “I
puke so much I had to learn that one. So. Now we know that this wand
is the one that killed the girl.” “But
we don’t know for sure if your mum did it, Harry,” Dean
said. “I
would find it hard to believe that she did,” Hermione said.
“Sirius, Lupin and Albus all speak of Lily very fondly. I can’t
imagine that she’d be a killer.” “Her
son is,” Harry stood and put on his shirt carefully. “Nineteen
times over.” “That’s
different,” Draco said firmly. “Is
it?” Harry asked in some type of confusion. “But I don’t
think she did it. I can’t help it. It’s not
right…something is just not right and I don’t know what
it is. I feel…something and…I can’t identify it
because I’ve never felt this before.” Harry picked up the
wand and felt it for several moments. “It’s like
there’s…more here to know and…” Harry held
the wand still in his tight grip and eventually closed his eyes in
concentration. “There is more than just my mum
involved…there’s…three others. Three other people
involved…and…I can’t see them…”
Harry scowled harder and tried his best to make out the forms in his
mind from the wand’s magical force. “I can’t get
it…it’s…it’s…” Harry’s
eyes flew open and he turned to Draco with wide eyes. Harry looked to
Draco’s hair for several seconds and then drilled Draco with
his wide eyes. “Draco, you have your mother’s hair.” “Everyone
knows that,” Draco said. “I
need to see Albus right now and you’re coming with me,”
Harry said grabbing Draco by the hand and pulling him quickly from
the room and out the portrait hole. The others followed quickly. “Tell
me what you saw,” Draco asked quickly trying to keep up with
Harry’s quick strides. “I
saw one figure with hair the same color as yours,” Harry said.
“And nobody has the same hair as you except Narcissa Malfoy. I
want to know how your mother and mine are mixed up in some murder of
a Slytherin girl that happened seventeen years ago and why nobody was
blamed for it. And I think I have more suspicions to speak with Albus
about. And if I’m right we’re about to have a fight.” “Over
what?” Hermione asked. “Me,”
Harry spat still pulling Draco down the corridors. The others were
following quickly. Harry went to stand in front of the Dining Hall
and stopped quickly. Harry looked around for several minutes. “He’s
not in his office. He’s in his quarters. Come on.” Harry
led them again. “How
do you know that?” Ron asked. “I
just know stuff,” Harry said shortly. “You
always say that. How do you know stuff?” Seamus asked. “Because
I’m a freak of nature,” Harry said. “A toxic blend
of many things that should have never been mixed in the first place.
Don’t ask. It’s a long story.” The rest of the
brisk walk ended at a particular painting of a lone soldier. “Rufus,
it’s me Harry. Let me in. I need to fight with Albus.”
Harry spat. “Certainly,
son,” Rufus said. “Go easy on him. I think he might be
waiting on you.” “I
bet he is,” Harry said hatefully as he barged into the room and
stood facing Albus who was sitting in his chair having a cup of tea
and croissants. The others filed in behind him. “To
what do I owe the pleasure, Harry?” Albus asked. Harry strode
across the room as if he owned the place and flopped down in the
opposing chair. Harry held up the wand. “Care
to tell me a bit about this?” Harry asked. “And I know
you know already. I sense it all over you and you will tell me.”
Harry handed the wand to Albus who took and looked it over. “Willow
with unicorn hair and fairy dust,” Albus said. “Lily was
always a prize student at Charms.” Albus gave Harry a long look
and Harry met the gaze with a challenging stare of his own. “How
much do you know?” “I’m
figuring it out quickly,” Harry said. “And I cannot
believe that you never told me about the Malfoys.” “What
about us?” Draco asked. Albus and Harry had never let their
gazes linger from the other. “Harry,
could you add chairs for all of our guests?” Albus asked. Harry
swished his hand in some movement with flair and created three
chairs. “Three?” “Couples
sit together,” Harry said. “Draco?” Harry moved
back a bit and Draco sat between Harry’s legs comfortably in
the overly large leather chair. “Tell
me how much you know, Harry, and I’ll try to explain,”
Albus said. “I
know that there is a secret room above my own dorm in Gryffindor
Tower where there are several trunks of six old Quidditch uniforms
and miscellaneous other things. Also in that room in the rafters was
hidden my dead mother’s wand. The last cast on that wand was
the AK,” Harry said. Albus nodded a bit. “I also know of
the secret hidden rooms in the dungeons. All of them. There are three
skeletons located there. Two are males that we suspect to be older
men who died there. The other skeleton which is separated from the
others was of a female and after much…well, work, we now know
that my mum’s wand was the one used to kill that girl.” “You
did a dark art blood rite on these grounds?” Albus asked. “Yes,
I did,” Harry said. “If I had been informed on this
matter before, maybe I could have avoided that little mishap.” “Anything
further?” Albus asked. “Yes,
actually there is,” Harry said. “Draco mentioned that his
mother had told him of the trick played by several Slytherins during
the time that his mother and my parents were at school. I suspect it
was their seventh year since the bone testing done on the female
remains dated thirty seven years. That would have meant she was
approximately seventeen when she died. Also, the fact that Draco is
aware of that seemingly harmless prank is suspect in my mind for
Narcissa to even mention it.” Harry said. Albus nodded a bit. “The
uniforms are in the trunk in Griffindor tower which leads me to
believe that my dad was involved in hiding that trunk and also this
wand belonging to my mum after the curse was sent from it.”
Harry stopped again. Albus nodded a bit. “When
I hold the wand I sense things. I see images of…of my mum, my
dad, and two other females. One of which is undoubtedly Narcissa
Malfoy. The other I suspect is this dead Slytherin girl. The odd
thing is…” Harry stopped and looked to Draco for a
moment and then looked about the room. “In my images, it is my
father holding Narcissa and not my own mother. Would you care to
explain that to me?” Albus stilled for a moment. Draco and
Harry shared a look between them, but the silence was deafening. “Let
me begin by saying that the bodies you have discovered, had never
been found within the school,” Albus said. “It’s no
surprise to me that you found such things because that is your
nature, Harry. And you know this school better than anyone including
myself.” “Very
true,” Harry said. “Go on.” Albus took a long sigh. “Would
anyone like tea?” Albus asked. Harry growled. “Albus,
please,” Harry said. “You’re irritating. Get on
with it.” “This
is a long and complicated explanation and I had hoped that I would
never have to tell you these things,” Albus said. “You
never tell me anything about me,” Harry said. “I have to
end up taking dark art blood rituals with my Death Eater lover to
find out if my own mum is a killer! No wonder I’m insane. It’s
you. You make me this way.” “Harry,
calm down,” Draco patted Harry’s hand while Harry ran a
hand through his hair. “And
this is something bad I just know it,” Harry said in
frustration. “I feel the vibes all over me that this is just
not damn good.” “It’s
not,” Albus said seriously. “The Malfoy family is one of
the oldest and most prestigious lineages it the Wizarding world.
Approximately fourteen generations ago there was Cleotius Malfoy who
was betrothed to none other than…Laitus Potter.” “This
is getting weirder by the minute,” Ron said. Hermione couldn’t
hold back a snicker and Harry and Draco gave her a hard glance. “Being
that as it may, Cleotius and Laitus married. And as is customary with
most of the Malfoy family, Cleotius took several lovers,” Albus
said. “Should
have known that,” Harry grinned. “Malfoys are all alike.”
Draco punched Harry in the arm. “The
one lover that Cleotius took was terribly in love with him, but
Cleotius in deciding to be loyal once again to his bride, broke the
love affair with this witch,” Albus said. “See?
He’s not so bad,” Draco said with a grin. Harry did the
same. “There
is no hurt or anger so great as a lover spurned,” Albus said.
“The mistress, a dark witch, devised a curse to place on each
family of both the Malfoys and of the Potters.” “What?”
Draco asked. “We’re cursed?” “The
nature of this curse is very complex,” Albus said gravely. “I
will begin by saying that all Malfoy generations which bear children
always produce a girl and then a boy. However, in the case of Lucius
and Narcissa, Draco was born and not a girl making the first ever
generation to do so.” “You
were supposed to be a girl,” Harry teased Draco who punched him
again. “I’m glad you’re not, but…oh well.
It’s interesting to know.” “The
curse placed upon each family both Malfoy and Potter, is that each is
destined to be bound to the other, but never attain completion,”
Albus said. “Simply put, each generation of Malfoy and Potter
will be drawn to the other and could even love, but the curse is that
never a happiness can be between the two.” Those words fell
like stones from the sky to hit Draco and Harry each in the most
tender of places. Their hearts. “Albus,
is there some way to break this curse?” Hermione asked. “There
has never been need of it,” Albus said. “No Potters or
Malfoys ever got along well enough to want to break the curse. And in
all honesty, there is little information such a curse and the
mistress who cast it has long been dead for generations.” Draco
and Harry laced their fingers together in some type of comforting
need to feel the other. “Tell
me then,” Harry quietly. “What of this wand and of our
parents.” “When
in school, James Potter was quite enamored with a Slytherin girl
named Helena Crowingrass,” Albus said. “They dated for a
time. But Narcissa and James began to feel the pull toward one
another and I suspect that they may have even been lovers for a
while.” “Great,”
Draco said. “We could have been brothers, Harry. How nice.”
Sarcasm abounded. “The
curse acted against them forcing them to bicker and fight
continually,” Albus said. “James and Helena began to date
again. Narcissa at being hurt and angry took the wand of Lily Evans
and killed Helena. Her body was never found. James learned of what
Narcissa had done and in compassion for her and what could never be
between them, he took Lily’s wand and hid it away with the
Quidditch uniforms that the other Slytherins had taken in the tiny
room above the boys’ dorm. Lily found out that James had hidden
the uniforms, but knew nothing of her lost wand. James and Lily
forged a friendship and eventually married and Narcissa later married
her cousin Lucius.” “And
why didn’t you prosecute my mother since you knew she killed
that girl?” Draco asked. “There
was no evidence to prove it,” Albus said. “There was no
wand or no body. Your mother is very efficient.” “Well,
at least we know why Harry and Draco fought all the time,”
Seamus said to Dean. “They
still fight all the time,” Dean said. “And
it looks like they’ll continue to fight all the time,”
Ron said. “What
are the odds of this?” Harry asked in some type of disbelief.
“I mean…the sheer total and complete irony of all of
this is astounding to me.” Harry ran a hand through his hair.
“I wish I had never known that.” “Me,
either,” Draco said. “Why
did you tell me that?” Harry asked Albus hatefully. “You
asked me to and threatened me,” Albus said. “I knew if I
didn’t that you’d get angry the way you do and you’d
destroy everything in this room.” “You’re
right. I would have done that,” Harry said nodded. “I
still might do that.” “Cursed
heart,” Draco said the uncanny password and he and Harry shared
a meaningful gaze. “Looks like you were right after all.”
Harry pushed Draco off his lap and stood to pace the room for several
minutes. Anger and hurt dwelled in his heart and in his mind. After
several more minutes of this unbearable gnawing feeling. Harry with a
loud screaming frustrated yell slung his arm hard. Every piece of
glass in the entire room shattered instantly including windows,
vases, lamps, and ornate magical items. “Dammit!”
Harry yelled as he stopped and crossed his arms in his tantrum. “Harry,
please clean up this mess and return my quarters to the natural
order, please,” Albus said calmly. “Do
you do this often?” Draco asked. “He
does it all the time,” Albus said. “Harry’s moody.”
Albus chuckled. Harry turned to the group with a look of irritation
at Albus’ words. “Yes,
I’m fucking moody,” Harry spat. “Watch
your language,” Albus said firmly. Harry snorted and paced
stepping on the crackling glass under his feet. With another fit
Harry slung both hands and books went flying from the shelves all
over the room ripping themselves and pounding into the wall as
Harry’s anger abated. “You’re making a fine mess.” “Harry,
you may need to calm down just a bit,” Hermione said.
“Go
to hell,” Harry said as he paced. “I’m sick of
this. I’m constantly being fucked over by some damn curse
or…anything! Why can’t one single thing just be okay for
me? Why? Nothing is ever right and I’m damn sick and fucking
tired of it!” Harry growled again in frustration. Albus turned
in his chair and pushed out hard with his hand sending a strong
whoosh over the other students but landing a hard hex onto Harry
sending him back about three feet into the wall. Harry groaned with a
slight grin and slid down the wall to flump on his bum on the floor.
“Oh god that hurt.” Harry laughed just a bit. “Oh
hell what level was that? Felt like sixteen.” “It
was a sixteen,” Albus said. “And you need to get up and
clean this mess.” “I’m
not finished pouting yet,” Harry said with a grin. “You’re
lucky I didn’t take down the whole tower.” “Yes,
I am, but I want you to clean this mess. I can’t stand it,”
Albus said. Harry pushed up off the floor as the other students
giggled at the display between them. “You are such a problem
child. Why couldn’t you just be normal?” “I
am normal,” Harry said. “Harry,
I love you to death, honey, but you are just not normal,” Draco
said with a nod. “But I’m into that sort of thing.” “Yeah,
okay,” Harry said feeling better. With several strong long and
impressive sweeps of his hands and arms the room was perfectly as
normal again. “I didn’t permanently damage anything.” “I
know you didn’t,” Albus said. “I was surprised that
you held out that long. I expected you to come in and destroy the
place right away. You did well on that.” “You
get on my nerves,” Harry said pacing with one hand on a hip and
the other running through his hair. “You never tell me anything
and I always, always, always end up finding things out. You know how
I am with stuff. I find out shit and then it all hits the fan.”
Harry crossed his arms and looked at every one else. “How much
more shit can I take without losing my freaking mind? No need for
Voldemort to come after my sorry ass if I die of stress!” “I
know a few stress relievers,” Draco said. Harry grinned. “Well,
that, too, but I do know some others.” “Oh
god,” Ron said. “Is that all you think about?” “Ron,
we’re seventeen year old males. What do you think?” Harry
asked in a huff. Albus laughed out loud. “But not all the time.
I have…other things to think about, too.” “How
interesting,” Draco said. “Malfoys and Potters. Isn’t
that interesting, Harry? I’m sort of glad I didn’t kill
you now.” “My
life is so cursed I’m beginning to believe that I just can’t
die,” Harry laughed in some sort of insane way. “You
can,” Albus said. “You are human.” “Am
I really? If you told me I was part alien I swear I’d believe
you,” Harry joked. “You
know why you can do things,” Albus said. “And
you know that I don’t even care,” Harry said. “But
at least Draco isn’t a girl.” Harry laughed again and
Draco pulled Harry over to the chair onto his lap and punched him in
the ribs. “Stop abusing me, you bitch.” Harry laughed
again and Draco punched him lightly until they were sitting
comfortably on the chair together in grins. “Excuse
me, professor,” Debbie asked softly. “If the generations
of Malfoys are supposed to produce a girl and then a boy, maybe the
curse won’t affect Harry and Draco since they are not a
heterosexual pair.” The others were silent for a moment and
then turned to Albus. “To
be honest, I have no idea if the gender of the pairing would be a
consideration,” Albus said. “We do know that Draco and
Harry have had a volatile past history together, and now they do love
one another. In seeing that pattern repeating itself, I had assumed
that the curse was still effective even though they share a gender.” “I
think this is crap is what I think,” Draco grinned. “Piss
on some curse. What does it matter? So we fight and so we love. Big
deal. We’re used to that.” “Albus,
are you telling me that…that our fighting will outweigh any
affection we have toward the other in time?” Harry asked. “I
can only tell you what has happened in the past, Harry,” Albus
said. “And it might even be best if neither you nor Draco know
that at all. You may subconsciously re-enact past patterns in your
own relationship with the other.” “So
you’re saying just do what we do and forget the curse,”
Draco said. “In
my opinion, yes,” Albus said. “Perhaps, and I am assuming
with you Draco, that you also prefer the male gender, you are the
last generations of both Malfoy and Potter. If neither of you sire
heirs, the curse is broken.” “But
our lineages die with us also,” Harry said. Albus nodded. “And
you were always telling me about having kids…” Harry
sighed. “Dammit. This is stupid. Draco, are you buying this
load of shit?” “No,
you?” Draco asked. “No,”
Harry said. “Besides,
I don’t need a curse to tell me that I hate you,” Draco
said. “Exactly,”
Harry said. “And we’ll always hate each other just like
normal.” “Right,”
Draco said. “I don’t see a problem here, Potty.” “Nor
do I, ferret,” Harry said. “Okay. Now we’re clear
on this. And it took one day to learn all that crap. I’m
exhausted.” “So
am I,” Draco said. “And hungry.” “Let’s
go raid the kitchens,” Harry said. “You
can’t do that, Harry” Albus said. “Watch
me,” Harry said as he and Draco stood to leave with the others. “Stay
under control and don’t destroy the school. Harry, be careful,”
Albus warned. “I’m
never careful,” Harry said. “And thank you, dad.”
Albus nodded before all the students left Albus’ quarters and
were walking down the hallway. “Well,
that was very interesting,” Dean said. “Makes some
sense.” “You
idiotic slop wad, it made no fucking sense,” Draco spat. “And
even if it did, I’m not falling into some other curse thing,”
Harry said. “Hell, my whole life is nothing but curses. Why is
that?” “Must
be that genetic bullshit you keep bitching about,” Ron said to
Harry. “You
both need rest before your Quidditch game tomorrow,” Hermione
said. “Possibly after the game we could work on a bit of
research to find a break for the curse. I’m sure there is one,
we just need to find it.” “Good
idea,” Debbie said softly. “I could help in that respect.
Madame Pince is my great aunt. I’m sure she’d grant me a
pass to the Restricted Section of the library.” “Oh
hell here it comes,” Harry whispered to Draco. “Madame
Pince is your aunt?” Hermione asked loudly with excitement. “Oh
how wonderful. Debbie, that would be marvelous. I can’t wait
for us to start.” “Yes,
I can see what you mean,” Draco said to Harry with a grin. “Your
mother,” Harry said to Draco. “And
your father,” Draco said to Harry. “That is fucked up,
Harry.” “Tell
me about it,” Harry responded. “Draco, I don’t care
about this curse bullshit. I can’t see it like that. I know
what I feel and…at the moment, it’s all good.” “I
agree,” Draco said. “We’ll just take things as they
come.” “Of
course we will, stupid. We can’t take them until they get
here,” Harry said. “Go
to hell,” Draco said. “Bite
me, ferret,” Harry spat. “Fuck
you, Potty,” Draco spat back. “Do
you want to fight?” Harry asked. “Not
really, I’m hungry. We’ll fight later,” Draco said. “Okay,”
Harry said. The others just rolled their eyes and followed them to
the kitchens. “Dobby!” Harry yelled as the group entered
the kitchens. Harry took a seat at the picnic style table there.
Dobby appeared quickly. “Can you please feed us? Just bring
anything.” With a bow and several complimentary things, Dobby
and several other house elves began filling platters, plates and
glasses for them. “You
said there was another room above the girls’ dorm room,”
Draco said. Harry nodded. “There
are secret rooms all over this school,” Harry said with a tiny
grin. “I know of every one of them. And one in particular you’d
like to see, Draco.” “Which
is what exactly?” Draco asked. “Salazaar’s
personal quarters,” Harry said taking a bite of the chicken and
ham pie leftovers served to them. “You’re
kidding,” Hermione said. “What’s it like?” “Big,”
Harry said. “There are old books everywhere. And lots of dark
arts things. I know what most of them are, but some even I’m
not familiar with.” “Maybe
I’d know. I would think that I may know anyway,” Draco
ate. “I have several books on Salazaar at Malfoy Manor. I
researched him over a summer one time.” “Really?
So did I,” Harry said. “Very interesting individual. I
think he was mentally ill.” “So
do I,” Draco said. “Did you research the other founders?” “Godric
Gryffindor, of course,” Harry said. “And, in my personal
opinion, Godric was very violent one moment then very passive the
next.” “Sounds
like you, Harry,” Dean said.
“Godric
had several wives and many children,” Draco said. “I
think he had…eight wives, and twenty one children if I’m
not mistaken.” “Twenty
three children,” Harry said. “I’m descended from
him and more interestingly so were the Parkinsons.” “There
is no way,” Draco said. “Impossible. The Parkinsons have
always been Slytherins.” “Draco,
I’m a descendent of Godric himself and I’m a Slyth,”
Harry said. “So go figure. The sorting hat is screwy. I don’t
think the students should be separated into houses anyway. I never
have.” “I
agree with you,” Draco said. “But Lucius doesn’t
and neither do the board of governors over Hogwarts. So, the houses
will always remain.” “Not
so,” Harry said. “And
how do figure that? The board of governors is in charge of the
school,” Dean said.
“And
who is in charge of the board of governors?” Harry took a bite
of his food and gave them a satisfied grin. “The
High Five Council,” Hermione said. Harry pointed his fork at
her quickly and began to eat again. “You
got it. And I’ll be running that after a while,” Harry
smirked arrogantly. “Then we’ll see what happens.” “Arrogant
git,” Draco said. “I
get that from you,” Harry said giving Draco a sideways look.
“It’s your fault.” “Nothing
you ever do is my fault,” Draco said. “Oh
please that is such bullshit,” Harry said. “Half the crap
I’ve ever done involves you in some way.” “That
is totally untrue,” Draco argued. “Draco,
why was I put on the Quidditch team in first year? Because of you.
You had my stupid ass chasing you a broom as a first year because
you’re a bully. And then you got us detention in second year
and then when we were in the forest when Voldemort almost killed me,
you ran. And then there was the time that…” “Okay,
okay,” Draco said. “That doesn’t mean those things
were my fault. You were also involved and participated willingly, I
might add. So don’t throw your tantrum my way.” “I
am sort of moody today,” Harry said.
“Today?
You’re moody all the time,” Ron said stuffing his face
full of food. “Harry,
I would be interested to know of the other hidden rooms in the
school,” Debbie asked eating only a cookie from one of the
platters. “Well,
there are plenty of them,” Harry said lightly. “I could
show you more if you want. But not tonight. I have to get Malfoy here
his rest so he’ll not be blaming me for losing tomorrow at
Quidditch.” “I’m
not losing tomorrow,” Draco said firmly. “I plan on
distracting you with some cheating effort, and then winning.” “So
a normal game, then?” Harry asked with a grin and a short laugh
to which Draco nodded. “And
you know I’ll try something, so just be prepared,” Draco
said. “With
you? I am always prepared with you,” Harry said. “Habit,
you know.” “Of
course,” Draco said. “There are several options I was
considering using tomorrow as my plan of action.” “Care
to tell us?” Harry asked. “No.
Then you’d be too prepared,” Draco said. “You
always do fine with my attempts to humiliate you anyway.” “And
they work most of the time,” Hermione reminded. “Just
make sure you don’t fall off your broom, Harry.” “Why
not?” Harry said. “I’ve done that plenty of times.
Haven’t I, Draco?” “Yes,
and jumping off, too,” Draco said as they finished eating.
“Don’t do that tomorrow.” “I
think I will,” Harry said. “You’ll catch me.” “No,
I won’t,” Draco said.
“Yes,
you would,” Harry said. “I know you would. I have every
confidence in the world that you would catch me if I jumped.” “No,
I wouldn’t,” Draco said. “You’re
lying,” Harry said. “I’m and Occlumens and I can
tell you are lying. So there.” “I
hate you,” Draco said.
“And
I hate you, too,” Harry said. “But you’d still
catch me.” Draco nudged Harry hard off the bench and into the
floor. “You
piss me off,” Draco spat. “I
know. That’s my purpose,” Harry said standing. “I
can piss you off better than anybody.” “Yes
you can,” Draco said. “Nobody makes me as ill as you do.” “But
I can also give you something that no one else can,” Harry
said. “And you hate that, too. But you also love it. You’re
just fucked up.” “Shut
up and stop talking about me before I beat the hell out of you,”
Draco stood so that they faced off.
“You
know what? You’re so cute when you’re mad,” Harry
grinned. With a growl Draco shoved Harry hard back against a
worktable then took him by the collar. “So cute.” Harry
tormented with laughs. Draco whipped Harry around and shoved him
again. “Shut
your hole before I make you,” Draco said. “Fine,
fine,” Harry said with a laugh. “One
day you’ll learn to keep your fat mouth shut, Harry, and people
won’t be beating you up and hitting you with curses,” Ron
said. “What Albus hit you with today was a blast of power.” “That
shit hurt,” Harry said. “But I did that on purpose. I
knew he’d hit me with it if I pissed him off.” “So
you wanted him to hit you with a curse?” Hermione asked. “Something
like that,” Harry said. “I get all freaked out when I get
angry and he can calm me down with a hex. It works for me. That’s
the way it is with me. I’m just fucked up that way. Let’s
get out of here. It’s almost one in the morning.” The
group left the kitchens and Harry escorted the group to their houses
to make sure no one was in trouble for being out past curfew. Harry
and Draco went to the den quickly. The drug was fixed and injected
giving them a bit of relief before bedtime. “I
want to have sex now,” Draco said in his lazy drug induced
state. “Will you have sex with me?” “No,
but I’ll make love to you,” Harry said. Draco hummed. “How
good it is,” Draco said as they each stood, wobbled a bit and
sat on the bedside. Clothing was removed and they crawled underneath
the covers and found a comfortable position wrapped around one
another. “Oh god yes this is so nice. I love just feeling you
in my arms at night.” “Do
you want to top or do you want me to?” Harry asked. “You
top,” Draco said softly with his eyes closed. “And
remember I am very limber.” “Show
me how limber you are,” Harry said. Draco kicked off the covers
and pulled his foot up and around his neck. Harry’s jaw
dropped. “Holy shit. I can’t do that.” Harry
attempted it and was almost able but it wouldn’t work. “How
do you do that?” “I’ve
always been limber like this,” Draco said. “Very
flexible. Watch this.” Draco climbed out of bed and clasped his
fingers together in front of him. He reached his hands down and put
his feet through the loop he’d made with his hands and brought
his hands up behind him and with some very odd shoulder movements had
brought his hands out front again without ever having unclasped them. “Oh
my god,” Harry said impressed. “That’s incredible!
How in hell did you learn that?” “I
saw a girl do it in my primary class one time,” Draco said.
“I’m the only other person I know that can do it. My
mother says I’m double jointed all over. I can also do this.”
Draco walked over and bent backward into a backbend and flipped over
in one fluid movement. “You
are so graceful,” Harry said. “Amazing. I never knew you
could do that.” “Nobody
does,” Draco said. “I’ve never told anyone or shown
them. And…I knew that the Malfoys always had one girl and then
one boy. And I was supposed to be a girl. I do have some feminine
traits, Harry. And I know you know this already. My features are a
bit more delicate than other males, I’m graceful as you said,
and even my features like my hands and feet are more…well,
effeminate.” “I
don’t see you that way at all,” Harry said. “I just
see…you like you are. You are very beautiful to me.” “See?
That’s what I mean. To me you are handsome. But to you, I’m
not handsome. I’m beautiful,” Draco said. “You are
not the least one bit delicate looking. You’re rougher and more
masculine than I am. That irritated the piss out of me for years
until I just…said fuck it. This is the way I am and I can’t
help it. So, instead of hating that I’m this way, I embraced it
and got over it.” “I
can’t see you hating that part of yourself at all. I would love
to be like you,” Harry said. “To me you are perfection,
and I’m…just not. I have calluses on my hands, and my
skin tans in the summer so dark that it’s almost embarrassing.
I do have balance with my fighting and moves, but in general I’m
a bit awkward with myself whereas you are graceful and exact all the
time. Even the way you walk.” Harry paused to savor that
memory. “You walk down the hallways with flair and elegance and
such an air about you that…I just…I want to just fall
on my knees and worship you sometimes.” “Sometimes?”
Draco acted insulted. “Okay,
all the time,” Harry teased as he let Draco crawl over him back
into his spot on the bed. “I wanted to be you.” Harry
confessed and Draco looked oddly at Harry. “I did. I wanted to
be like you. You’ve always been so cool and calculated. Exact
and affluent. So in control of yourself and everyone around you.” “But
you are like that,” Draco said. “Yes,
I am now,” Harry said. “I had to be cold. With all the
drugs and sex thing, I became uncaring to anything or anyone. I
separated myself from any emotions and wouldn’t allow myself to
feel anything.” “So
did I, Harry,” Draco said. “That’s the reason I was
so cold to everyone. I was taught by my father at a very young age to
never show the weakness of emotion. Then I met you and you were
nothing but emotion all the time. Harry Potter was always warm and
friendly, caring and giving to those around him. Except with me. And
what you emanated, I desired. I would have loved to have had friends
like yours who cared about me. You had your trio, and I had two oafs
acting as body guards because I am weaker than you.” “You
are not weaker than me,” Harry said. “That’s not
true at all.” “Yes
it is,” Draco said. “I’m physically and magically
weaker than you on any level.” “But
you are much more emotionally and mentally stronger than I am,”
Harry said. “You have social skills that I lack and you are a
brilliant student. Your capabilities in learning far exceed mine. It
takes me longer to learn things than it does you.” “Then
we’ll compliment the other quite nicely, I think,” Draco
smiled genuinely. “Oh
god you’re beautifully handsome,” Harry said. Draco
laughed. “Don’t
call me handsome,” Draco said. “I’m not that at
all.” “I’ll
just call you strikingly lovely and astoundingly beautiful,”
Harry said looking over Draco’s delicate features of his face.
Harry traced the line of Draco’s eyebrow and over the tip of
his nose and over the smooth skin of his jaw. “How do you keep
your skin so perfectly smooth and light? You never tan?” “No,
I never tan,” Draco said. “It’s a pureblood trait,
but the Malfoys are known for their lightness of skin and hair. My
mother’s family is also known for their defining hair color as
well as eye color.” “Yes,
your eyes,” Harry whispered looking into the depths of them.
“Soft as gray velvet…but can flash like a silver storm…” “What?”
Draco asked. Harry laughed softly. “After
our duel in second year, we had an assignment in Divination to
compare a living thing to something in nature,” Harry said. “I
chose your eyes because it was just after the duel and I remember the
way you looked at me so…so intensely. And I knew your eye
color was gray, but…when you looked at me during that duel, it
was…it was scary. And I remembered it. So in my essay I wrote
that your eyes were as soft as gray velvet but had the fierceness and
power to flash like a silvery storm.” “That’s
almost poetic,” Draco smiled. “Thank you. Did Trelawney
know of whom you were speaking?” “I
don’t know. She never said anything,” Harry said. “But
your eyes are so bright emerald green,” Draco said looking into
them. “Abnormally green in fact. I remember that time we fought
after the Quidditch match and you had pinned me down with my arm
under my back. You had my throat in your hand and you looked at me
and I was scared to death you’d kill me. But it was in late May
and the sun was behind you and all I could see was your eyes and the
bright sunlight behind you making you glow ethereally like an angel.
It was…it was breathtaking. I’ll never forget that.”
Draco had that wistful unfocused look at remembering it and Harry
took the opportunity to lean forward slowly and kiss him so gently
that it was sacred. “I
love you,” Harry whispered taking tiny butterfly kisses that
were as light as breath. “I
love you,” Draco returned the whispered affection. The kisses
deepened slowly bringing about the embracing, touches and eventual
slow methodical lovemaking that warmed and satisfied their desire for
the other throughout the night. When both were exhausted of their
efforts at both giving and receiving physical affections, the lovers
lay together in a comfortable embrace and gave in to the bliss of
sated sleep. Draco
reached back to take Harry’s hand but couldn’t find it.
He reached further to discover an empty bed. Draco sat up and looked
around but Harry was gone. “Harry?”
Draco called into the room hoping for a response from the bathroom.
When none came, he stilled for a moment trying to remember if there
was anything Harry had planned. It was Saturday morning. Harry needed
to deliver the lotuscel tonight in London. “Maybe he’s
gone to get the cauldrons.” Draco slipped out of bed and put on
his clothing that was now routinely left by the house elves each
morning. With apprehension, Draco sat on the crate and heated a
spoonful of the drug he needed. After he’d injected the amount
needed, he sat for another few minutes to calm and wait for Harry
again. After
fifteen mind numbing minutes, Draco left the den and walked to the
dungeons all the while looking for Harry everywhere. Draco slipped
into the potions store room unnoticed since it was only a bit after
eight on Saturday morning, and took ten cauldrons, shrunk them and
put them into his pocket. With cat-like stealth, Draco slipped back
out of the supply room and into the corridors. With a quick glance
into the Slytherin common room and finding it empty, Draco headed
back up the stairwells to the main level of the school. Just as he
turned the corner into the main hallway, he spotted Hermione opening
the library door. “Hermione!”
Draco called. Hermione turned to see Draco and smiled. Debbie also
stuck her head out of the library door as Draco came up to them.
“Have you seen Harry?” “No,”
Hermione looked worried. “I’d assumed he was with you
last night.” “He
was,” Draco said. “I woke this morning and he was gone
from…well, from our bed.” “I
haven’t seen him this morning, but we just got here,”
Hermione said. “But that’s like Harry to just…leave
without saying anything.” “But
not with me,” Draco said. “He never leaves without
telling me something.” “Well,
then you are fortunate,” Hermione said. “He never tells
us anything. He may be with Albus.” “Perhaps,”
Draco thought it over. “But somehow I don’t think he is.”
Draco looked to his watch. “Our match is at three and we’ll
need to be at the pitch by one.” “I’m
sure he’ll turn up before then,” Debbie said. “We
were going to work in the Restricted Section, um…Malfoy.” “You
may call me Draco, Debbie,” Draco said with a small smile.
Debbie looked embarrassed. “Thank
you,” Debbie said kindly. “You are welcome to join us if
you’d like.” “I
think I’ll go back to our room,” Draco said. “Maybe
he’s back.” “Our
room?” Hermione asked in teasing with a smirk of amusement. “Yes,
our room,” Draco said sarcastically with the look. “Where
is that room? Harry won’t even show us,” Hermione said of
she and Ron. “And
if he did you’d be there harassing him,” Draco said. “And
don’t deny it.” “I’m
not denying anything,” Hermione said. “And yes, harassing
Harry is just a habit. And quite fun. I’m sure you’d
agree.” “I
do. Wholeheartedly,” Draco said. “Harry
was very…well, just very emotional yesterday in the
Headmaster’s quarters,” Debbie said. “I never knew
he was so volatile.” “Harry
is the essence of volatile,” Draco said. “He’s like
a stick of dynamite ready to explode all the time.” “And
Draco is like a fire,” Hermione said. “When they’re
together it’s usually a blast.” “Very
funny,” Draco said. “I may have a few ideas about that
curse Albus told us about yesterday. I think I’ll come with you
to the Restricted Section to look up something right quick.”
Draco went with the other two girls to the shelves in the section and
fingered over many texts until he found the one he wanted. Draco sat
at the table and looked through several pages skimming them with his
finger until he found something of interest. “Hermione,”
Draco said and Hermione came to sit with two books of her own. “I
remember reading these passages from this book before. I have a copy
at Malfoy Manor. Look at this.” Draco showed Hermione and
Debbie about family curses and the dark arts rituals to cause them.
There were several different curses mentioned, but none specifically
like the curse on the Malfoys and Potters.
“This
is close,” Hermione said of the passages. “Not exactly,
but close. I’ll work with this text and these others. Thanks,
Draco.” After they read for a bit more, Draco checked his watch
again. “I
think I’ll have breakfast and then go to Harry’s room,”
Draco said for effect. Hermione giggled. “It’s
your room, too,” Hermione said. “So go and get out of
here.” “See
you both later,” Draco left and had a bite of breakfast in the
Dining Hall. Harry wasn’t at the meal. “Where
have you been?” Blaise asked sweetly. “I missed you last
night.” “I
was busy,” Draco said finishing off his juice. “Excuse
me.” Draco stood to leave. “Draco,
the whole house is wondering where you spend your time recently,”
Blaise said. “I’ve been questioned several times by our
friends on your whereabouts.” “That
is not your concern or anyone else’s,” Draco said. “I
have orders to attend and that is precisely what I’m doing.
I’ve told you too much already, so I’m taking leave of
you now, Blaise. Don’t mention anything to anyone of me. Keep
others off my back if you can because these plans are necessary and
of the utmost concern. Do you understand?” Draco gave her the
hard look. Blaise nodded slightly. “Of
course, Draco,” Blaise said. “I’d do anything to
help you.” “Thank
you,” Draco said moving away from the table and entering the
main hallway. With a quick glance in each direction, Draco headed
toward the den. When he entered, Harry still wasn’t there.
“Dammit. Where are you?” Draco decided that he wouldn’t
visit Albus, just in case Harry was out doing some other
investigative criminal work. Draco snickered to himself. “He’s
a criminal and a killer. Just my type. How nice.” Draco decided
to go into the bathroom and setup the cauldrons for later. After an
hour of precise setup row of ten cauldrons, he was finished. Draco
had just sat on the crate when a knock came. Draco panicked but
decided to answer. “Who?”
Draco said in a lower voice similar to Harry’s. “It’s
me,” Kendra’s voice came in. Draco was undecided but went
with it and opened the door. “Hey, Malfoy.” Kendra
flirted. “What
do you want?” Draco asked. Kendra peeked into the room. “Where’s
Harry?” Kendra asked. “None
of your business. What do you want?” Draco asked. “I
think you know why I’m here,” Kendra said slyly. Draco
nodded. “Listen,
Harry is gone for a bit and I’m not sure that I can give you
anything while he’s away,” Draco said. “You
know that Harry would give it if he were here,” Kendra said.
“So what’s the problem?” Kendra slid her hands up
Draco’s chest in that seductive way. Draco caught her hands and
pulled them away from him. “Kendra,
I think a bit has changed recently,” Draco said. “I will,
against my better judgment, give you a hit, but you must take it with
you.” “Fine,”
Kendra said lightly. “So this will be a quickie then before
Harry returns?” “No,
there won’t be any sex today,” Draco said. “Come
on.” Draco sat on Harry’s crate and prepared two syringes
for them. “Take this with you and please don’t tell
anyone you got this from me. Nobody, you hear me?” “I
wouldn’t do that, Malfoy,” Kendra smiled. “And
thanks even if we didn’t do anything. But if you want to later,
just come find me.” “I
don’t think that will happen, but thanks for the offer,”
Draco said escorting her to the door and she left. Draco breathed a
sigh of relief. “I have turned down sex three times lately. I
must be sick.” Draco laughed to himself before going back to
the crate and injecting himself with the drug that he didn’t
need at the moment, but there was hardly anything else to do. Draco
reeled in the high and leaned back against the wall for a while.
While sitting alone in the room, Draco gave himself time of thought
and wonder of the time he’d spent in Harry’s company
since that night on the Astronomy Tower where they’d forged
some kind of reluctant friendship. Harry had been cold at first, but
even on that first night they’d stayed together it was
comfortable. Like they’d been together for years, and in
reality, they had been, but were never friends on any level. The
curse. That damn blasted curse of Malfoys and Potters. The draw
between them had always been there. It was easily recognizable now
why they were always fighting and gaining the attention of the other.
Fate, it seemed, had dealt them both a crappy hand. Probably worse
for Harry, Draco thought. For several minutes more Draco thought
about Harry and his abilities. Two abilities in one wizard was rare,
but with Harry and his host of amazing gifts it was astounding. And
of his magical power? Only the greatest sorcerer who had ever lived
had such strength and that was the great Merlin himself. Revered as
almost a god to wizard kind, Merlin was known for his nobility,
bravery, and extraordinary skills. Sounds identical to Harry. Not
surprising at all, Draco thought. Harry would soon be as the same.
Draco tried to imagine Harry older in some type of Wizarding robes of
grandeur as the pictures of Merlin were often depicted. Draco gave a
short laugh into the room at the imagery of Harry in such
uncharacteristic garb. He
loves me, Draco thought. Nothing warmed his heart so much as that
thought and it was far better a high just to remember that thought
and the memories of their all-encompassing lovemaking that injecting
some stupid drug. Harry was now Draco’s high and the drug he
craved more than any other. But comparing Harry to any drug was
cheapening him somehow and Draco refused to think of it again in that
way. Harry was more than that. He was everything…life, breath,
freedom, sunshine, flying, affectionate, warm, caring…Harry
was the one. As if he knew he was being summoned, Harry took that
moment to come through into the den and see one smile of affection
that filled his own heart. Harry noticed Draco’s wistful
love-filled gaze and eyes filled to the brim with affection. “I
like that look on you,” Harry said sweetly. Draco’s smile
grew a bit. “I
was sitting here thinking of you,” Draco said dreamily. “You
have no idea how incredibly much I love you, Harry.” “I
think I know exactly,” Harry said pulling Draco to stand and
embrace him. “You’ve
been outside,” Draco said. “I can smell it on you.”
Harry gave a small chuckle. “Yes,
I have,” Harry said. Draco with realization stepped back and
looked Harry over quickly taking in the outfit. Draco gave the
quizzical stare. “At
work I see,” Draco said of the outfit. Harry was dressed in a
black turtleneck and black, slim-fitting pants and black soft shoes
with rubber soles. “You crook.” “There
was something I needed to do,” Harry said. “And now I
have. I’m good now.” “What
was it?” Draco asked. “The
parchments of which Ravius and I spoke are ancient texts,”
Harry said coming to sit on the crate. “You need one?”
Harry asked of the drug. Draco shook his head and Harry proceeded to
make himself a dosage as he spoke. “Anyway, the parchments
Ravius wants are ancient and date from the fifteen hundreds. They are
believed to be the instructions to harness the magical power of stars
and direct that power into an individual wizard or use the magic to
do miraculous things. I have a bit of knowledge on these parchments
and have researched them a bit. The Latin was particularly difficult
for me to translate even with a spell.” Harry injected the drug
and took a few moments to sigh before continuing. “I don’t
think the instructions are anything but rubbish, personally. Ravius
has two backers who he thinks that I don’t know who they are,
but I do. They are two men by the names of Linder and Yelinburg.” “Linder?”
Draco pondered. “Linder. You mean Eric Linder?” Draco’s
eyes widened. “Yes.
I thought you might recognize that name,” Harry grinned. “He’s
almost as bad as Voldemort with his muggle killings.” “Not
quite as bad as Voldemort, but he’s one bad guy,” Draco
said. “He’s even a DE.” “He
is?” Harry said seemingly uninterested. “Makes sense. I
knew he’d met with Voldemort at least twice before anyway even
though he lives in Germany. That’s hardly a concern, though. He
may even want these parchments for Voldemort. That would be
interesting wouldn’t it? Me stealing these parchments so that
Voldemort could harness the power of stars to kill me? What a plan,
there Potter.” Harry laughed at himself. “But
Harry, what if these parchments are genuine? What if he could gain
that power?” Draco asked. “That wouldn’t be a good
thing.” “True,”
Harry said. “But Voldemort plans to come to Hogsmeade next
weekend and the parchments won’t be delivered by me until weeks
later. So either way he’ll never get them.” “Either
way meaning either he will die or you will,” Draco said. Harry
nodded. “Precisely.
But have more faith in me than that, please,” Harry said.
“Count the score, Draco. Harry Potter five, Voldemort zero.” “Confident
aren’t you?” Draco asked. “Yes,
I am,” Harry said. “Maybe too much. Do you think I’m
taking this too lightly?” “Yes,
maybe,” Draco said. “You do train hard, but I think you
do need to take it a bit more seriously. Voldemort is very clever,
Harry. As much as you are and he will be expecting anything you bring
to the table.” “He
might,” Harry said. “But he has no knowledge of my
abilities, Draco. None. I know that for a fact. He has no idea that I
can fragment or that my magical power has surpassed his own. I know
the Diatai and he doesn’t, too, but that is irrelevant. He’s
not even wandless like me.” “But
you aren’t wandless when casting the AK,” Draco said. “That
is my one concern,” Harry said. “I need to know how to do
that and I can’t do it. I simply do not know why I cannot cast
the AK wandless and neither does anyone else. It baffles me and I
don’t understand it, which in turn frustrates the hell out of
me because it’s the one thing that I can’t do. And I hate
that.” “Well,
we have some time to practice it. And frankly, I’m concerned
that Albus hasn’t had you working on that more than any other
thing,” Draco said. “You have to use that curse next
weekend and you need to learn it by then.” “Albus
is more concerned that the other DEs will try to kill me before I get
to Voldemort. That is his concern mainly,” Harry said. “If
I can get within casting distance, Voldemort is history without a
doubt. That’s the reason for my fighting training. The sheer
number of DEs out to get one of me is…well, disturbing. There
will be at least a hundred and there’s one of me, so you can
see why Albus would be concerned.” “A
hundred against one,” Draco said gravely. “Good odds
then. Thanks for uplifting my spirits.” “There
will be Aurors there with me,” Harry said. “But I’m
better than they are. And, I need to ask you a question. Can you
produce a Patronus?” “Yes,
of course I can,” Draco said dumbfounded. “What
is the form of your patronus?” Harry asked in interest. “A
panther. Why?” Draco asked. Harry thought of that and nodded. “I
can see that,” Harry said of Draco’s patronus form being
cat like in grace and a nimble creature. “How many can you
produce at a time?” “What?
One, I suppose,” Draco asked. “Why are you asking me
this?” “I
just needed to know,” Harry said. “Have you ever seen a
Dementor or sent your patronus out to save your life?” “Well,
I saw the ones that were here at Hogwarts before. But that was at a
great distance,” Draco said. “And I’ve never used
my patronus to actually defend in a life threatening situation, but
I’m sure I could do it. And why, again, are you asking me
this?” “Curious,”
Harry said obviously lying. Draco gave a look to that affect. “Okay.
The Dementors follow Voldemort and he allows them to feed off the
victims he creates. I happen to know a few things that you may need
to be aware of.” “Why
do sense great danger with those words?” Draco winced. “There
tends to be great danger in all of my words,” Harry said. “But
you are aware of the conversation I had with Aberforth the night of
our date. And I’m sure you were curious about the mentioning of
Azkaban.” “I
was curious. But if you had wanted me to know you would have told me
so,” Draco said. “I suspected that you would soon, anyway
knowing how honest you are and all that.” Sarcasm lived in
those words. “Honest,
yes to a point,” Harry grinned. “I won’t mince
words here because we both can handle it. Okay?” Draco nodded.
“Voldemort plans to break out the DEs out of Azkaban. That will
include your dad, by the way.” “Oh
joy,” Draco said. “Big deal.” “It
is a big deal,” Harry said. “The day of the breakout is
today.” “Today?
Are you sure?” Draco looked a panic. “I’m
quite certain,” Harry said. “And the other thing is, to
distract the Aurors and the Ministry, Voldemort will command the
Dementors to attack Hogwarts today.” “The
Quidditch match,” Draco said. Harry nodded. “Everyone
will be there. What do we do? Are the Aurors coming? Does Albus
know?” “One
question at a time, please,” Harry said. “Nobody knows
but me and Aberforth. And now you. I need to alert Albus to what I
know, but then he’ll question how I know it. I can’t tell
him I’ve been off school property even though he is aware of it
I’m sure. Anyway, I can handle the Dementors with your help. Me
and you is all it takes so that Albus can make sure the Aurors are
ready at Azkaban for the attempted break out.” “We
need to tell Albus right away then,” Draco said. “Yes,
we do,” Harry still sat. “He’ll yell at me.” “Oh
get over it,” Draco said. “This is a break out of
prisoners, Harry said. Let’s go now and tell the man!” “Okay,
don’t be so testy,” Harry said with a grin as they stood.
“I think Albus would be…” Harry concentrated for a
moment with his eyes closed. “He’s with McGonagall and
Hooch in the Transfiguration classroom. Let’s go.” The
pair left the den and walked together to the classroom where Harry
peered in. Albus noticed Harry’s face pressed against the glass
of the classroom door and motioned them inside. “I
have news for you,” Harry said to Albus. “And you won’t
like it.” “What
have you done now?” Albus asked. Harry put his hand on his
heart in some great dramatic way and feigned great sorrow. “Headmaster,
are you implying that I am a troublemaker of some kind?” Harry
asked. Albus gave Harry the look. “Of
the worst kind,” Albus said. “What news do you bring? I
know it’s not good and you may even be worried about it, which
troubles me even more. You don’t get those emotions very
often.” “There
is a plan to break out the DEs from Azkaban today during our
Quidditch match,” Harry said. “And the distraction will
be here at Hogwarts. Dementors. Hundreds of them. You’ll need
to have the Aurors be ready at Azkaban. I can handle the Dementors
with Draco’s help so we don’t need any additional
security here.” “I
will make the arrangements at once,” Albus said. “I would
ask you how you know this information, but you’re not going to
tell me anyway and we’ll end up fighting over it. But since
time is of the essence, we can fight later.” “I’ll
look forward to it, sir,” Harry said with a grin. “And
Draco is aware? How is your patronus, Draco?” Albus said. “Very
good, sir,” Draco said. “Harry has already drilled me
about it.” “I
should have known,” Albus chuckled once. “I will need to
leave you now and send the word to the squads of Aurors. Harry, you
may assist Madame Hooch and Minerva with the spells on the Quidditch
equipment for you and Draco today. I was planning on adding the non
summoning charms to the Snitch since you both are wandless.” “Are
you saying that either of us would cheat?” Harry asked with a
grin. “Yes,
I think I’ve made that quite clear,” Albus said. “I
don’t trust either of you on the pitch.” Draco and Harry
both laughed. “I’ll take leave to send the information
now. Behave.” Albus told Harry firmly before he left. “That
was a waste of breath,” Draco said of Albus’ warning.
“You are the worst rule breaker I’ve ever seen, Potter.” “No,
I’m the best rule breaker you’ve ever seen, Malfoy,”
Harry laughed. “We’ll
need to add the charms to each of the bludgers, the quaffle and, of
course, the Snitch,” Hooch said. The trunk was opened and Harry
knelt at it. “What
level charms do you want?” Harry asked her. “Level
sixes on the bludgers, level eight on the quaffle,” Hooch said
and then eyed both of them quizzically. “And whatever level you
think will give you and Malfoy a good game.” “What
do you say, Draco? Do you think you could catch a level ten Snitch?”
Harry asked. “Level
ten?” Draco asked. “That’s a bit harsh, don’t
you think?” “I’ve
practiced with a level ten all year,” Harry grinned. “How
about you?” “I
hate you, Potter,” Draco snarled with clenched teeth. “Fine.
A bloody level ten then.” Harry laughed. “I’ll
make it a level three if you think you can catch it easier,”
Harry said. “That’s
a second year speed, dumb ass,” Draco said. “Mister
Malfoy! Please be more courteous with your choice of expletives,”
Minerva scolded. “A
level ten will be fine, Mister Potter,” Draco drawled. “Thank
you, Mister Malfoy,” Harry said before he flicked a finger over
each ball and then over the Snitch. “Very
good,” Hooch said. Harry gave Draco a very wicked grin for a
second. “If
that’s all, I need to go,” Harry said and waited for a
moment. “Is that it?” “Harry,
if you are on a broom when the Dementors arrive, you know how
vulnerable you are to Dementor attacks,” Minerva reminded. “Thanks
for your concern, Minerva. But I’ve learned a bit since third
year,” Harry grinned. “And I’ll be sending those
terribly nasty Dementors on their way. I’ll be able to see them
first with being on my broom when they arrive. Don’t worry. I
know how to do that saving the day thing very well now.” Harry
laughed.
“Get
out of my classroom,” Minerva said. Harry gave a low head bow,
took Draco’s hand and dragged him behind as they left. “You
are simply insufferable,” Draco said. “She
hates it when I do that,” Harry said with a grin. “I do
like her, though. We’ve spent hours together during the summer
months when she’d come here to work on things. Minerva is a
very clever woman and Albus adores her. There is only twenty years
difference in their ages and I tease them about getting married.” “You
do not,” Draco said in awe but then considered the question.
“Why don’t they?” “I
think they could. They may even do it,” Harry said to Draco’s
surprise. “You
liar,” Draco said. “No,
I swear it,” Harry said. “They spend great amounts of
time together during the summer months and have so for years. But the
main thing is that when they are together alone and then I show up I
can almost feel the emotion between them. Nobody knows that, of
course, but I think it’s sweet.” “It’s
very odd,” Draco said in a scowl shaking his head. “Albus
and Minerva.” Harry gave a short laugh. “I
know more about shit going on in this school than you could possibly
imagine,” Harry said. “Snape is screwing around with
Madame Finney.” “No
way,” Draco said. “Yes,
way,” Harry said as they entered the den again. “I’ve
seen them kissing before.” “Snape?
Kissing? Someone was actually kissing Snape?” Draco asked. “Oh
holy god. That is just not right.” “It
squicked me out,” Harry said. “We need to work on the
lotuscel. I know you got the cauldrons.” “How
did you know that?” Draco asked. “Because
they were gone from the store room when I went there,” Harry
said. “So let’s get started. I’ll show you how to
do it.” They went into the bathroom where the cauldrons were
set up. “You are so damn good, Draco. You set these up
perfectly.” “And
this surprises you? I am perfect,” Draco said in that way he
said everything. “Yes,
you most certainly are,” Harry said taking a hard look at Draco
from head to toe. “Oh shit.” Harry felt his crotch and
adjusted it. “I was remembering last night when I was lurking
about today and…I almost shot a load in my pants over it. That
was fucking incredible.” “Or
incredible fucking,” Draco said. Harry grinned. “Yeah,”
Harry said as he walked to the far wall and pulled a brick out of the
wall. The brick was a drawer hidden in the room. Several vials,
packets and muggle bottles were pulled out of the drawer and Harry
put them on the sink vanity. Harry told Draco what he was doing and
the quantity of each ingredient that went into each cauldron. Draco
listened intently to the procedures, measurements and ingredients
until Harry was finished with the instructions. “Harry,
you modified this lotuscel to increase the intensity of the high,”
Draco said. Harry nodded. “With several small modifications and
the addition of harpsel slough, grated dinsel root and a few drops of
rinking fluid, the high off the drug would last at least ten times
longer.” “Are
you sure?” Harry asked. Draco nodded confidently. “Absolutely,”
Draco said. “Common potions knowledge.” “But
do you think that high would be too much? And are any of those
additions addictive?” Harry asked. “The
high wouldn’t increase in intensity, only the duration would
increase,” Draco said. “The high instead of being two
minutes, would last maybe twenty minutes.” “Wow,”
Harry said. “Do you have any of those ingredients handy?” “Yeah.
Sure, I do,” Draco said. “I could get them right now.” “Let’s
do that then,” Harry said. “Only let’s get enough
for half the cauldrons just in case it doesn’t work.” “You
insult my potions genius,” Draco said. “I’m the top
student at potions, Harry. I know it all.” “Fine
then,” Harry said. “We’ll get enough for all of
them. Ready?” The pair went to the dungeons, took what was
needed from the potions storeroom quietly and back to the den. The
ingredients were added specifically in the order they needed to be
with Draco’s supervision and Harry’s expert hand at
making this particular concoction. When everything was simmering
nicely, there was nothing left to do but wait for an hour. “You
know, maybe I shouldn’t have done that,” Harry said.
“This lotuscel is for Pete. He won’t be used to the
longer lasting kind.” “If
you want, you can cut the doses in the vials by almost half and have
twice as much left,” Draco said. “The cost for the vials
is the same and the highs will last the same amount of time, but now
you have twice as much.” “True,”
Harry thought. “We’ll do that.” “We’re
so damn good,” Draco said as they went to the bed to lay and
wait for the potions to be completed. “I
need to show you some meditations,” Harry said almost sadly.
Draco nodded as they sat on the bed together and kicked off their
shoes. Harry explained the meditations very slowly. The clearing of
the mind process aided with a connection inside to that magical
wealth inside a wizard formed almost a trancelike state of complete
obliviousness to most pain. When all the explanations were given,
Harry asked Draco to close his eyes. Harry gave the instructions
again slowly and expertly so that Draco could practice the
techniques. After a while, Draco was meditating quite effortlessly.
Harry also practiced a bit, even though he was aware that this form
of meditation lasted longer than he would have since the potion would
be ready soon. When that time came, Harry left Draco on the bed and
had tended and bottled eight cauldron’s worth of the drug
before Draco came around into the bathroom. “Whoa.
I lost all concept of time when in that trance,” Draco said. “I
swear I thought I was only out maybe five minutes.” “It
was more like twenty-five minutes,” Harry said. Draco assisted
with the other vials of the potion drug and quickly they were
finished. “There.
Now after the match, we can go to London,” Draco said. “Maybe
you’d better not go this time,” Harry said. Draco was
almost hurt. “No, I would love to have you come with me. But
I’m taking a load of this highly illegal substance with me and
I…” Harry noticed Draco’s look. “But you are
more than welcome to come, Draco. I’d love to have you with me.
I just worry like that sometimes.” “I
understand,” Draco said. “I won’t go if you don’t
want me to.” “No,
I do want you to, it’s just that if something happened, I could
be sent to Azkaban for this,” Harry said. “I could escape
naturally, but I was worried about you.” “I
have faith enough in you that we won’t get caught,” Draco
said. “I trust you explicitly and without reserve.” “Do
you?” Harry asked. Draco knew Harry was asking about jumping
from the broom again. “Yes,
I do,” Draco said firmly. “And if you tell me to jump
again. I will without fear.” “No,
you won’t,” Harry said. “I know you won’t.” “I
will,” Draco said confidently. Harry felt the reserve within
Draco. “Okay,”
Harry said.
“You
don’t believe me,” Draco said. “I can tell you
don’t. But, Harry, I would do it.” “I
believe you,” Harry said truthfully. “But I won’t
ask you to do that again.” “Good,
but I would do it,” Draco said. “So
you would trust anything I asked you to do?” Harry asked. “Yes,”
Draco said quickly. “Anything?”
Harry asked. “No matter how terribly wrong or bad it seemed
you’d trust me?” “Yes,”
Draco said. “Is this some type of loyalty test?” “It
might be,” Harry said. “Because sometimes you don’t
understand why I do things. And that’s okay. But I do things
anyway.” “What
are you talking about? What things?” Draco asked. “Nothing
yet,” Harry said. “But one day I might do something that
you might not understand. And you might question me on it. And if I
tell you it’s for the best, you’d believe me, right?”
Harry looked to Draco for the question. Draco was a bit confused. “That
depends on what it was and if I knew for a fact that it was wrong, I
wouldn’t want you to do it,” Draco said. “And what
are we talking about? Because I know you know something that you’re
not telling me.” “I
don’t know anything for sure,” Harry said. “But I
may do something that you may question one day.” “Which
day?” Draco questioned wisely. Harry gave that very slow head
turn toward him. Draco shone wisdom in his eyes. “You’re
very good, did you know that?” Harry asked. “Don’t
plan anything stupid on that day, Harry,” Draco said. “I’m
not letting you kill yourself over this Voldemort shit.” “Nothing
that drastic, I promise,” Harry said. “So
now I know for sure it’s that day you’re planning
something, you may as well tell me what it is,” Draco said. “I
can’t,” Harry said. “Because a certain number of
events have to take place before I know if it may happen. It’s
nothing major, just some trivial thing. But you may question me on
it, and I know everyone else will.” “What
is it?” Draco asked. “Tell me.” “I’d
rather not because you’d try to talk me out of it,” Harry
said. “And I don’t want you to do that because I can’t
bear to tell you no.” “So
you’ve already made up your mind on this thing that may or may
not happen,” Draco stated. Harry nodded. “And I’m
not going to like it, am I?” “I’m
not sure if you will or not,” Harry said. “It shouldn’t
affect anything at all. Just my own curiosity is all. And let’s
not talk about it again. It’s no big deal really.” Draco
nodded knowing Harry was finished with that conversation. The vials
of the drug were put into baggies at ten per bag and then into a
hidden box within the room for safekeeping until the trip to London
would ensue later that evening. “I
forgot to tell you that there is a party tonight in your house common
room. There will be dancing and everything,” Draco grinned.
Harry laughed. “What?” “Draco,
why do you think there would be a party in my common room tonight?”
Harry asked with raised eyebrows. Draco realized it was because his
house knew Harry would catch the snitch. “You
fucker,” Draco slapped Harry’s arm and walked out of the
bathroom in a huff. “Go to hell, Potter!” Harry heard
Draco yell from the other room. When he’d finished in the
bathroom with cleaning out the cauldrons, stacking them and shrinking
them, Harry came out in time to see Draco had prepared them each a
syringe. “It’s almost lunchtime and we’ll need
these before the game.” “Thanks,”
Harry said putting the tiny cauldrons on the crate. “I’ll
take that with me and put them back in the potions supply room when I
go down to my room to get ready for the match today,” Draco
said. Harry checked his watch and it was fifteen minutes until lunch.
“I think I can wait until after I eat to do take this dose.” “Yeah,
me, too,” Draco said putting the syringe in his shirt pocket in
a way that it would be hidden. “ “Listen,
try to keep watch today around the pitch and if you see anything odd,
you need to let me know,” Harry said. “I can usually
sense things before they get near enough to see, but when I’m
playing I sort of get distracted from fighting evil for a few
minutes.” Harry grinned. “I’ll
help watch for Dementors,” Draco said. “If
you see me dive to the pitch or take off somewhere outside the pitch
and you want to cast your patronus, follow me,” Harry said. “If
not, I can probably do it myself, but…it would be nice if you
were there.”
“Oh,
thank you. That’s what I always wanted. To be sidekick to the
boy wonder,” Draco drawled heavily on the sarcasm. “I
prefer to think of you as my partner in crime,” Harry picked up
the syringe for emphasis. “An equal.” “Not
much better,” Draco snickered. “I’m having a
difficult time determining if you are the good guy or the bad guy
recently.” “So
am I, so when you find out let me know,” Harry joked. “But
whoever wins today, we’ll still go to the party if you want to.
I know that since tomorrow is our detox, if we tire ourselves out all
night then we’ll be able to sleep tomorrow for about twelve
hours before the heavy stuff hits.” “Good
idea,” Draco agreed. “I wonder how we could tire
ourselves out all night?” “I
can think of a few things. And there may be a few things we could
try,” Harry said. “Something
kinky?” Draco asked. “Possibly,”
Harry said. “Anything you’d like to try with me?” “Anything
and everything,” Draco said. Harry picked up the pouch that
held their supply of Hiddle. “We only have about ten hits left.
That’s plenty more than we need until tomorrow morning before
the treatments begin. And to be honest, I’m a bit nervous about
it.” “So
am I,” Draco said. “But I want to get off this shit and I
know you do, too.” “I
do. I really, really do,” Harry said. “I want to be
normal again. And…don’t say it. I know I’m not
normal, but I mean feeling normal. Well, normal for me. Whatever that
is.” “You
are a good dancer,” Draco said out of the blue. “You’re
really good.” “Um…thanks,”
Harry said with a confused scowled. “Where the hell did that
come from?” “I
was just thinking that at the party tonight there will be dancing,”
Draco said. “And I’d like for us to look our best. And
dance our best. Do you know any dances specifically tailored to
pairs?” “Not
really. Do you?” Harry asked. “Oh
yes I do,” Draco grinned widely. “Remember in the club in
London? What I was doing? That’s half of a Tumble Roll dance.
It’s a rock music thing. Stand up and I’ll teach it to
you so that we can do it tonight.” Harry
shook his head at the oddity of learning to dance at lunchtime on
Saturday before a Quidditch match, but stood anyway. Draco showed
Harry both sides to the dance. The first part required more
limberness, so Draco decided to take that role. After about twenty
minutes of them singing to make music so that Draco could
demonstrate, they had it. The dance, having two distinct parts, was
sexually conductive with touches, many moves that looked like pure
sex and dance combined. The separate parts of the dance were
different but required synchronous movements by each partner. After
they’d done it several times together it was perfect by each of
them. “We
will knock their socks off with this tonight,” Draco grinned
widely. “Fine.
I can’t wait,” Harry said. “Some people may have
heart attacks, but that’s okay.” “Oh,
I forgot,” Draco said. “Maybe we shouldn’t dance
this way in front of others. I forget that we can’t…”
Draco let the rest of the sentence linger. “Fuck
it,” Harry said. “This is only dancing.” “Yeah,
right,” Draco said. “This is a bit more than dancing.
Dancing like this together? You and me? After a match? Everyone will
know, Harry.” “I
don’t care,” Harry said quietly. “I want to enjoy
things with you. In public. I don’t care what people think or
if Voldemort knows or if the fucking world knows. This is me and you.
It shouldn’t matter who we are. This is us and I’m damn
proud of us.” “I
am, too, Harry. But we have to be careful,” Draco said. “Why?
Why do we have to be careful?” Harry asked. “So what if
the whole Slytherin house runs and spills it to Voldemort. You have
orders to get close to me. You have done that splendidly, I think.
He’ll be so proud.” “It’s
not like that,” Draco said. “No,
of course not,” Harry said taking Draco’s hand asking for
forgiveness. “What I meant was that he would be proud if…I
mean…you know what I mean.” Harry gave that pleadingly
confused look. Draco gave up. “I
know what you mean,” Draco said letting Harry off the hook.
Harry took a hug. “Don’t
do that to me,” Harry said. “I get twisted up and don’t
say things properly sometimes. You are the one of elegant speech.” “I
can be at times when it suits my purposes,” Draco said. “Would
you have lunch with me at my table today?” Draco teased. “Sure,
I’d love to,” Harry said. “Is that invitation
genuine?” “Yes
and no,” Draco said. “I would absolutely love for you to
sit with me at a meal, but not today. We each go over strategy with
our teams at lunch before a match.” “I
know. That’s why I was accepting to have lunch with you,”
Harry grinned. “I’d love to know Slytherin strategy for
the game today.” “Basically
it’s do anything to win and keep Potter from getting that damn
Snitch,” Draco admitted. “Simple
and direct plan. I like it,” Harry said. “We ready?”
The pair set off toward the Dining Hall speaking to one another in
the corridors on the way. Harry who used his hands as he talked was
involved in some descriptive movement with his hands as they walked
and Draco continued to nod at Harry’s conversation. “Look
at them,” Blaise said to Pansy as they noticed the two passing
them by never noticing anyone else but each other. “I just know
Malfoy is nailing Potter. I can just see it on them both.” “I
can see what you mean,” Pansy said in her jealousy. “Stupid
fucking bastard. He’s not been in his room for four nights in a
row. I bet he’s been with Potter every night.” “They
could just be shooting up together,” Blaise offered. “Yeah,
shooting up into each other’s ass more like it,” Pansy
spat. “That fucker. I need to put an end to this, Blaise. We
need a plan and quick. The match is in three hours and they are
playing against each other today so it would be a perfect
opportunity. But what?” Blaise never said a word about Draco’s
supposed orders from Voldemort to get close to Harry to Pansy. After
all, she was also wanting another piece of Malfoy, and if possible,
one of Potter. Girls gossip after all, and it was no secret that
Harry was known to be a very experienced partner and was incredible
in bed. Blaise had always wondered, and if Malfoy wasn’t with
the little hero, maybe he’d want one of those break up fucks to
ease his mind. And Blaise would be more than willing to offer it up
to Harry after this plan of the day if it worked. Draco
and Harry split up in the Dining Hall and each went to their
respective tables. As usual the team spoke of strategies for the
upcoming game over their lunch. After everyone was finished eating
and the team was still speaking over the plans, Draco stood. “Hey,
Potter! I hope you’ll be able to see me win, you four eyed
freak,” Draco yelled. Harry looked up with a grin to the
Slytherin table. “What
is it now, Malfoy? Want to borrow my glasses to help you find the
Snitch?” Harry asked across the Hall as he stood also. “Consider
this your warning, Potty. This is our last game. I’m out for
your blood, today,” Draco said with a smirk. “Get
in line and take a number, ferret,” Harry yelled high on the
biting sarcasm. “Check the score, Malfoy. I. Never. Lose.”
The Gryffindor table cheered and Harry crossed his arms in defiance.
The whole of the Hall was involved now watching back and forth as the
insults were slung. “And
considering you’re the biggest loser in the Hall, I consider
that all just dumb luck,” Malfoy spat in their game. “Today
is my day and I’m taking you down.” The Slytherins all
cheered and Malfoy crossed his arms in the stand off. Harry smirked. “Bring
it,” Harry sneered. “I
plan on it,” Draco snarled. “Let the game begin.”
Harry nodded to that sentiment as both teams stood with their
captains and walked out of the Hall. Harry and Draco weren’t
allowed to be near each other for the other team members kept the
volatile pair apart before the game. Each team went to their
respective locker rooms to change and prepare for the match. “You
really told him off, Harry,” Lambert said. “Good
going, cap’n,” Ron said. Harry and Ron exchanged a
knowing glance between them of Draco’s taunting play in the
Hall. The team had changed and the talk was of the strategy. Harry
had a thought. Dementors. “Ron,
I need to speak with Draco a minute. I’ll be right back. Don’t
let the team leave the locker room. I have to tell you all something
important,” Harry said quickly as he left the locker room and
ran down the hallway to the Slytherin locker room and knocked. Goyle
answered. “What
do YOU want?” Goyle asked. “Get
Malfoy,” Harry said firmly. “This is important.”
Goyle looked with disgust at Harry for a moment. “Now!”
Harry yelled making Goyle jump. “Oh forget it.” Harry
pushed past Goyle into the locker room and spotted Draco right away.
“Malfoy!” Harry yelled and Draco turned to see Harry
there. “I need to tell you something from Madame Hooch.”
Draco nodded and walked toward Harry. When they were alone, Harry
spoke in a hushed voice. “You need to tell your team that if
you and I leave the pitch to get off their brooms as quickly as
possible. Dementors have an effect people and if any of your team
reacts, they may lose consciousness and fall off the brooms. Just
make up something to the effect of…if you tell them to
dismount quickly to do so without question.” “I
will. Thanks,” Draco said. “I would kiss you, but you
know how it is.” “I
wouldn’t care,” Harry said softly. “I’d love
it.” “We
can’t, but…” Draco looked back to the team who was
watching. Draco pulled Harry over behind a row of lockers and they
kissed hard for just a moment. “Oh fuck.” Draco
snickered. “Now
you’ve distracted me. That was your dastardly plan all along,
wasn’t it?” Harry asked. “Yes.
That was it,” Draco said. “You’d better go. I love
you.” Draco whispered. “I
love you, too. Good luck, today,” Harry grinned. “You,
too,” Draco returned it. Harry squeezed Draco’s hand for
a moment before they emerged again in front of the team. “And
don’t forget it, Potty!” Draco spat for drama. “How
could I?” Harry asked with flair before he walked out. Draco
turned to the team giving them a hateful look that oddly enough
soothed them all. Harry rushed back into his own locker room where
his team had gathered. “Listen, team. I know something and I
want you to know it, too. Today at this match there may be some
complications. If I tell you or yell at you to get off your brooms,
you must do so as fast as humanly possible.” “Why?
What’s going on?” Seamus asked. “I’m
going to tell you this and don’t panic, okay?” Harry
said. “I have this under control. There might be a host of
Dementors coming during the match. I will, naturally, go after them
when and if they show up. But you must dismount as quickly as
possible if you see me dart off the pitch, or if I tell you to.” “Dementors!
Oh fuck!” Ron yelled. “Holy shit, Harry, you know how
Dementors are on you.” “Ron,
relax,” Harry said. “I can handle a million Dementors
now, but my concern is that you all dismount if you hear me yell for
you to do so. And if you happen to see anything out of the ordinary
today, let me know as quickly as possible. Everybody okay? And don’t
even think about the Dementors while we are playing. Don’t give
it a second thought because I have a bit of experience with this
ridding the world of evil shit, so just play a great game and fight
hard against these fucking snakes! We ready to do this and win?”
The team yelled in enthusiasm. “Then let’s go play my
last game against Slytherin and get us this final victory!” The
team yelled louder and they all followed Harry as the captain out of
the locker room all with brooms in hand. Blaise
and Pansy waited in the top box in the front row and watched for the
teams to come out onto the pitch. “Are
you sure you can hit him on a broom?” Blaise asked. “Of
course I can,” Pansy said. “And how can he fly if he
can’t see? He’s practically blind as a bat without those
hideous glasses anyway. As soon as he gets close enough, I’m
doing it. There is such a large crowd nobody will ever know it was
me. And he’ll think Draco did it to win his final game. And
besides didn’t you hear Draco make that joke about Potter being
a four-eyed freak? Everyone will just know Draco did it and then I
can console him when he’s lonely.” Blaise rolled her eyes
secretly at the absurdity, but having Harry was a good thing if it
worked out. And if it didn’t, at least Blaise knew that she
didn’t cast the spell and wouldn’t be in trouble anyway.
So they waited. Harry
led his team out of the locker room and was walking directly toward
Draco with his team behind him. The teams stopped and allowed the
captains to join Madame Hooch in the center of the field as was
customary. “Captains
shake hands,” Madame Hooch said. Harry gave the return smirk to
Draco as they shook hands a held for just one second longer than
necessary before dropping their hands. Their eyes never left the
others as Madame Hooch spoke loudly to the captains and their teams.
“I want a nice clean game today. If I find anyone using illegal
moves, magical devices, spells, or cheating in any way, I will end
this game and the student responsible will be dealt with accordingly.
Mount your brooms and move into positions.” The teams did as
asked and pushed up into the air. Harry and Draco were up higher than
the other players and couldn’t be heard below. “You
look so damn good on a broom. What a turn on,” Harry said. “Damn
I’m jealous of that Firebolt,” Draco said. “I wish
I was the long, hard pole between your legs right now.” Each
laughed hard until the Snitch whizzed by them both. “Let’s
end this early so we can have some time together today,” Harry
said. “The next three days will be total hell on us and I want
to be with you as long as possible before we go to detox tomorrow.” “Fine
with me,” Draco said. “Catch the damn thing and let’s
get off this pitch.” “You
catch it,” Harry said. “Whatever,
just one of us needs to get it so we can get out of here,”
Draco said. “We’re
pathetic,” Harry said. “Draco, this is our last game
together. Is that sad for you?” “Hell
no,” Draco said. “We play many games together, Harry.
Newer more exciting games to me than just Quidditch.” “Oh
god I want to kiss you right now,” Harry said. “Is
that your strategy then? Because I can’t ride this broom with
my dick this hard,” Draco said. They laughed again and had just
noticed that Madame Hooch had blown the whistle. “Well, here we
go, baby.” “Yeah.
Let’s do it,” Harry said. “Oh god, why did I say
that?” Draco laughed and took off in one direction and Harry
the other as fast as they could go. Each took a lounge around the
pitch looking for a glinting of gold, but all the time giving a quick
glance around for anything out of the ordinary. The announcements of
the game’s plays by Dean Thomas were loud and almost
distracting as each seeker searched the pitch for the hint of the
little ball. Both seekers made several attempts to lead the other off
guard by faking moves but both ended up in laughs at the end of each
move. About twenty minutes into the game the score was Slytherin
leading Gryffindor by a score of eighty to forty. Draco couldn’t
resist so he flew in the direction of Harry. Harry who noticed Draco
coming his direction met him halfway and directly in front of the
Slytherin section of crowd. “We’re
up, Potty,” Draco said when they came closer to each other. “Not
for long, ferret,” Harry said. Pansy looked quickly to Blaise
and drew her wand but kept it near so that no one would see her cast
a spell. Pansy quickly said the words and just then Harry spotted a
flicker of color and took off, before Draco could react he moved his
broom in a turn and was hit with the blinding spell. “Oh
shit!” Pansy squealed in a whisper. Draco rolled on his broom
and put his hand on his face. “What
the hell?” Draco yelled holding his eyes. “Dammit!”
Harry chased the Snitch for a moment and then noticed Draco wasn’t
behind him so he pulled out of the dive to look for him. Draco was
sitting where they had been before. Harry looked around the pitch for
another moment in confusion as to why Draco didn’t follow and
when he did, he saw them.
“Oh
hell,” Harry said of the approaching Dementors. Harry shot off
in the direction of the players. “Get down! Get down now! Off
your brooms! Get down!” Harry kept yelling on the way to get
Draco. Harry pushed forward and almost bumped Draco when he arrived.
“Draco!” “Harry!
I can’t see!” Draco held his eyes. “My eyes! What
happened?” “Oh
shit! Draco the Dementors…they’re here. Come on. I have
to put you on my broom,” Harry took Draco’s hand. “No,
I can’t. You come on my broom,” Draco asked. “I
don’t have time! Come on!” Harry yelled. “Draco,
hurry! I’ve got you. Come on!” Draco took the hand and
jumped onto Harry’s broom. Harry thought quickly and darted
toward the pitch in Ron’s direction on the far side of the
pitch from the Dementor attack and landed.” Ron, keep Draco
here and watch him. I’ll be back!” Harry left Draco and
on his broom flew in the direction of the encroaching Dementors who’d
already reached the field. Harry could hear the screams from the
crowd above in the stands and Harry felt a pang of nausea when he
landed and threw his broom to the side. The dark coldness had
descended quickly and the painful memories were being drawn from
Harry’s mind already as he raised his hands to cast. With the
thought of his dragon on his mind, Harry raised his hands. “Expecto
Patronumentia delias duotonous!” Harry yelled and cast with
both palms forward as he ran toward the Dementors. Four of Harry’s
signature stag patronuses shot like lightening from his wandless
hands and began to chase the Dementors away. Harry quickly looked
about and saw to his horror that the other side of the pitch where
both team members were gathered another host of Dementors. “OH
SHIT!” Harry yelled as he picked up his broom and pushed it
forward as fast as he could go. The team had noticed the Dementors
coming and were running toward the center of the field. Harry met
them in the center. “Harry!
They’re everywhere!” Ron yelled. Harry took note of the
Dementors closing in on both sides of the pitch and between the
stands. Harry assessed the situation and made a decision. Harry
turned to both teams. “Get down! Lay on the ground! Now! And
whatever you do, do not rise up. Lie flat on the ground. Do it!
Hurry!” Harry stood in the center of all the team members who
immediately lay flat down on the ground. Harry looked to the
Dementors coming on all sides. Up in the stands the onlookers were
relatively safe. Harry looked up to where Dumbledore sat and noticed
him nod. Harry returned the nod to what he had to do. Harry threw his
broom to the side and stood alert and waiting for the right moment to
strike. “Team members! Stay down! I am about to cast a very,
very powerful series of spells to get rid of these Dementors. You’ll
feel it but it won’t hurt you. Just please stay down because if
you rise up and I hit you, it will kill you. I am not joking about
this so please, please stay down.” “Harry,
be careful,” Draco said not knowing who was near but not
caring. “Draco,
just stay down. Please stay down,” Harry begged. “Okay.
They need to be a bit closer. Just please stay down so I don’t
hit any of you.” Harry was looking around at the encroaching
Dementors. “Alright. Just a bit closer, come on, come on…okay.
STAY DOWN!” Harry put his hands down and out a bit and with a
growling yell and all his might Harry shot up his arms and did four
hard slicing movements in each direction.
The
powerful waves of magic from the stands looked like wide beams of
lightning that sliced directly through the Dementors. Each of the
hooded ghastly creatures exploded into bursts of gray powder with
eerie screams. The spells from Harry were so hard that a huge
thunderous sound racked within the pitch making everyone scream when
they heard the noise and felt the hard whoosh of such power wash over
them. Harry never heard any of it but was concentrating on knowing if
every Dementor was extinguished. When he had looked in every
direction and assessed that the threat was over, Harry gave a long
sigh of relief. “Okay
everybody up,” Harry said to the ones lying on the pitch but no
one moved. “You can get up now. They’re gone. I swear
it.” Slowly every head peeped up and eventually sat up staring
at Harry who ran to Draco and knelt. “What happened? Why can’t
you see?” “I
have no idea,” Draco felt out for Harry who took his hand. “Ron,
get Madame Pomphrey quickly,” Harry told Ron who took off
running toward the medical end of the pitch to get her attention.
“Draco, stand up. I’ve got you.” Draco stood and
held onto Harry’s hands. Draco’s eyes were clouded and
unfocused. “Let me look at your eyes.” Harry put his
hands on Draco’s face and looked into his eyes. “Oh no…”
http://www.ficsavers.com
Tomorrow Will Come
Chapter 07: Chapter 7
By: Kimberjingle
Chapter 7: The
Adventure Continues, Malfoy/Potter Curse, Dementors on the Pitch