Title: Copycat
Beta: lksnarry1 on livejournal
Pairing: Harry/Draco
Length: 13300 words in all
Rating: R
Warnings: Slash, Sex, Profanity, Third Party POV
Summary: Things in the world were messed up. Thorfinn knew that the world just needed some help fixing things this time.
Disclaimer: I make no claim to Harry Potter or the accompanying ideas and characters. They belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Brothers, Bloomsbury, Scholastic, and others. This is written for entertainment only.
Author's Note: This is the first chapter of a short four-chaptered story. I would like to thank my brilliant new beta lksnarry1 for looking over this for me. :)
"Malfoy might be one of us, but I'm not sure he is really loyal to us. He was a Death Eater, and even after he spent months training with the other recruits, I heard that the only person who would take him when they were up for partner promotion was Harry Potter."
Thorfinn Rowle smiled slightly. His plan might have two positive outcomes. Thorfinn would be able to do away with Potter, and killing Potter would lay the blame directly at Malfoy's feet. Not even Malfoy's co-workers trusted him, so framing him for his old rival's death would be child's play.
Snorting, Thorfinn continued to set his spells. The Auror Corps had far more to worry about than the loyalty of a former Death Eater. It had only taken Thorfinn three weeks of preparation to break into the Auror office to set up surveillance equipment, and the security was showing no signs of catching him.
Potter might be a nuisance, but he was a nuisance that had made consistently high marks in the notoriously difficult Auror training program, and Malfoy had certainly been no slouch in his training either.
The surveillance equipment was a combination of shrunken recorders-about the size of a Thorfinn's pinkie fingernail-secrecy charms, and amplification spells. Thorfinn had tested them thoroughly. He would need the information they could give him in order to steal the opportunities he needed to fulfill his purpose.
Thorfinn placed most of the surveillance equipment in the small office shared by Malfoy and Potter, but he also spread a few items around the break room and the doors leading to the bathroom. Working quickly, Thorfinn used permanent sticking charms to attach the devices onto the walls carefully, choosing spots where the wards came together so they would hide the magic of the recorders.
After placing the surveillance equipment, Thorfinn returned to the old flat that he was renting for the duration of the project. He quickly retrieved the viewing scope, which looked rather like a telescope, and looked into it. There was the small office of Malfoy and Potter, and as Thorfinn flicked the small, almost invisible buttons going down the side of the viewing scope, the views changed. Thorfinn was looking at the Aurors' office from behind Potter's desk, and then he was viewing the halls outside the restrooms. It was an exquisite job.
Thorfinn turned the viewer's focus back on Malfoy's and Potter's office. He needed to know when they had both arrived at work for the day, and this was the safest way for that to happen.
He didn't have to watch for long. Malfoy and Potter were never late for work, and Thorfinn wanted to leave as soon as possible. Despite his intentions, Thorfinn waited for a moment to hear Potter's and Malfoy's conversation.
"I can't believe they gave this cursed case to us! Two of the highest scoring trainees in the program, with a faultless capture record, and we are left to hunt down a missing Thestral? Who would even report a missing Thestral to the Auror Department?" Malfoy might have been smart and horribly good at his job, but Thorfinn was sure that his pride would be his downfall. It had been one of the leading factors in his father's fall from favour as well.
"It's a nice thing, Draco. No real danger, no risk of being accused for the next three centuries that we only get the cases we do because of who we are."
"Who we are means we deserve to get our pick from all the cases. We can out-preform a large percentage of the veteran Aurors, and therefore we should receive treatment to reflect that." Potter sighed, but he didn't look annoyed. Thorfinn frowned. Apparently, the rumors of Malfoy's hatred of Potter and Potter's returning fury were unfounded. If the two were ever rivals, they had grown past it. That would make Thorfinn's task a little more difficult. Malfoy would likely try to help and protect Potter as much as he was able, if they were friends.
Thorfinn turned his attention back to the two Aurors as Potter continued trying to convince Malfoy there was no slight in their unimpressive case. They weren't discussing anything of importance, but they were clearly set to go on about the topic of a while.
Thorfinn growled quietly. These two were the best in the Auror Corps, the absolute best the Ministry had to offer for the defense of their people, and they were discussing glory like adolescent boys. It was just as well that Thorfinn was planning on finishing the labors that war had never quite gotten around to.
Grabbing his wand, Thorfinn left for Potter's flat. He was sure that, in the man's utter stupidity and self-confidence, he would have nothing more than the standard wards and spells defending his home. Those were the same spells that Thorfinn had been breaking through since he was a child, trying to get into his cousin's secret stashes of galleons.
It turned out, Potter had been a little more creative than Thorfinn had given him credit for, but not much. A couple of the spells he had added to the usual protections were common in the Slytherin dorms and clearly additions Malfoy had insisted on. The other additions were nothing strong enough to stop a determined intruder. Potter must not want to do lasting harm to any of the idiot reporters who sometimes followed him home after high profile cases because none of the protective spells threatened death or dismemberment.
Once in the flat, Thorfinn found it was to be difficult to set the surveillance in Potter's home. Unlike the wards at the Ministry, there were no seams in the fashioning of Potter's protections. They were all created at one time, forged into a single entity. There was nowhere in the wards to hide the magic of the recorders.
The lack led to Thorfinn being forced to hide the bugs in a more Muggle fashion, removing as much of the magic as he could and slipping the recorders among Potter's possessions.
As soon as the recorders were all hidden, Thorfinn moved away from Potter's flat, carefully pausing at the door to re-create the protective spells Potter had left there.
Malfoy's flat had been considerably more difficult to break into, as he had clearly repurposed some of the wards around Malfoy Manor to serve him in his flat. After much argument with the spells, Thorfinn did make it into the man's home, but he was still trying to put out his lightly smoking robe arm and thinking about how he was going to re-create Malfoy's wards.
However, the complicated protections did make it easier for Thorfinn to hide the recorders. There were more than enough seams and joints in the spells to hide a few secrecy charms.
Thorfinn stared at Malfoy's door with a scowl. "Damn it." This was where the Malfoy boy had caught him. He had no idea how to rebuild the protections on the flat to keep him from being found out. If Malfoy found out about the surveillance on his home, he would no doubt check the Auror offices. He would also, judging from what Thorfinn had seen a few hours ago, alert Potter to the danger.
The only way Thorfinn could think of to begin was to start with what he knew. The basic, public spells protecting Malfoy's flat were easy enough to recast. Thorfinn made his way through them, reapplying them carefully to leave the spells at the same strength he had found them at.
The reapplication of the basic spells on Malfoy's flat had only postponed the inevitable. Cursing under his breath, Thorfinn considered the off-color spells Malfoy had used. Finally, Thorfinn growled and shrugged. He wasn't going to be able to cast the spells Malfoy had used on this door. All he would be able to manage was to the variations of the spells that he knew and hope Malfoy wouldn't notice.
Carefully, Thorfinn cast the spells, making sure none of them would attack Malfoy, and all of them would let Malfoy change them without complaining and raising red flags. Malfoy would expect his spells to obey him without effort. As complicated and trying as the spells were to break, Thorfinn didn't have too much trouble getting them to function. The only danger was that Malfoy would notice that they were different versions than the spells he favored, likely because Thorfinn was sure Malfoy tried to stick to Malfoy family protections whenever possible, so as to make what Thorfinn was doing more difficult. After all, the spells Thorfinn had raised would only fool Malfoy until he gave his wards a real check.
The flat Thorfinn was using for surveillance was a hell-hole. The walls listed back slightly, and Thorfinn was sure they were at least partially held up by magic, and nothing had been really cleaned in at least a dozen years, more likely twenty. Still, no one would ever come here without a reason, and the landlord would never tell anyone who his tenets were, mostly because he wasn't sure.
Thorfinn ignored the disgusting mess and snatched his viewing scope from where he had set it down before he left. Looking carefully at the side of the scope, he saw several new buttons. He put the lens to his eyes before flicking through them. Potter's living room, kitchen, bedroom, a glimpse of the bathroom door. Verifying that every recorder in Potter's flat was functioning, Thorfinn went to the next set of keys.
Everything was in order in Malfoy's flat as well. With a grin, Thorfinn wondered how long it had been since someone successfully spied on a Malfoy in his own home.
As fulfilling as it was to know Thorfinn had managed to give himself eyes and ears in the inner sanctum of a Malfoy, there was nothing of interest going on in Malfoy's flat. For something worth knowing, Thorfinn would need to turn his attention back to the Auror offices.
Thorfinn set a careful grouping of amplification charms on the viewing scope to allow him to listen to the conversation held in the office without keeping his eyes glued to the scope, and went to make himself some lunch, listening all the while to the drama that was the Auror duo.
He had long since finished his lunch and was working on building some more recorders, just in case he needed them, when he heard something interesting he could use.
"This office is boring me, Potter. We need to leave." Thorfinn heard Potter laugh.
"Draco, you are always bored in the office. You dislike paperwork." There was a snort, which Thorfinn took to come from Malfoy.
"Do you know anyone who likes paperwork, Harry? Other than your crazy Granger, since I'm not counting the witches of the world who belong in St. Mungo's."
"I assume Robards must not mind it too much. After all, he's taken it up as a full-time profession." Thorfinn moved to see into the viewing scope, wanting to know what it was the two were doing.
Potter was smiling broadly, while Malfoy looked slightly irritated. He must have been just as bored as he claimed. Malfoy was opening his mouth to begin again. "Well, he is one of the most boring men I have ever laid eyes on. I think he might get off on a perfectly filed report, and I have no idea how he survived the mess and chaos of battle."
"He's a good Auror. Come on, we can go to the Forbidden Forest. I want to check out the Thestral herds there and see if I can find anything about a missing one." Malfoy rolled his eyes.
"You can't talk to Thestrals, you know. They are animals."
"No, but think about it. Thestrals have a perfect sense of direction. They don't get lost. If there is one missing, then it is either captured and hiding. Thestrals may be animals, but they aren't stupid. If one is missing, there is something going on. We need to find out what if we are going to find the Thestral." Potter grinned at Malfoy, a broad, trusting expression. "This little task might be more exciting then you originally thought."
"No matter how interesting it might get, it is not a case deserving of two Aurors with our records." Potter stood up to go, and as he passed Malfoy's desk he slapped his shoulder.
"Get off your high horse and come on. Let's go find your entertainment." Malfoy grabbed Potter's elbow to haul himself out of his seat. They were clearly comfortable touching each other, something Thorfinn wouldn't have expected, even knowing of their mutual trust. Most people weren't very comfortable with physical contact with anyone but lovers and family, so soon after the war.
As Potter and Malfoy left the office, Thorfinn got over his surprise and confusion quickly. He broke into a grin. They might not know it, but Potter and Malfoy had given Thorfinn just the chance he was hoping for. It hadn't taken nearly as long as Thorfinn had expected, but that was all to the good. No one liked to wait for their triumph.
The forest was dark and forbidding, and Malfoy looked uncomfortable. "I'll never understand how you can find anything in here nice, Harry." Potter grinned, ducking under a branch and patting a mossy trunk before answering.
"This is where I saw my parents. And Remus, and Sirius. It's hard to be afraid of a place with memories that comforting." Thorfinn frowned. Whatever Potter was talking about, it wasn't public knowledge. The only memories Thorfinn knew of Potter having in this forest were the horrifying ones, one of which Thorfinn was here to recreate. As soon as Malfoy moved from between Potter and Thorfinn's wand. Thorfinn was afraid that if he attempted to move, one of the Aurors would hear him. It would be disastrous for him to be caught now.
Waiting, Thorfinn listened to Potter continue to try and explain to Malfoy why the Forbidden Forest wasn't terrifying. Potter paid far more attention to Malfoy then to where he was walking, and soon he had fallen over an upturned root. Malfoy rushed to help him.
"Potter, you utter imbecile! If you need to test your falling skills, try it in the training room, not a forest filled with monsters that wouldn't hesitate to eat you."
"There would be no fun in that, though." Malfoy stuck his hand out, and Potter grabbed it to pull himself up. "Did pull on my ankle a little bit. I'll be sore for a couple of days." Malfoy scowled.
"Can you run on it?" Potter nodded. "Duel?" Another nod. "Will you let me haul your sad arse to the office until your ankle is looked at by a healer?" A grin and a shake of Potter's head was his answer. "Why am I not surprised? Eventually, you are going to kill the both of us with your stupidity." Malfoy might have agreed with Potter, but Thorfinn noticed that he was also watching Potter closely. He was perfectly willing to take Potter back to the Ministry by force if he thought Potter was really too injured to go on. If Malfoy did that, Thorfinn would loose his chance.
Thorfinn needed Potter to move and put himself behind Malfoy, just for a moment. That would be long enough for him to get off a curse. There was an action which might spurn Potter to do so, but it wouldn't be without risk. If Malfoy was the one to act on it, this entire operation would be ruined.
Carefully, moving slowly, Thorfinn cast a silent spell. A branch snapped, about five feet to the left of him. The crack attracted Potter's attention immediately. He spun around, placing himself squarely before Malfoy and pointing his wand into the trees.
"Auror Corps. Show yourself." Thorfinn sneered. He had no intention of showing himself to anyone. Instead he raised his wand, pointing it at Potter.
"Avada Kedavra." Thorfinn watched the flash of green race toward Potter. He would need to leave soon; he was sure Malfoy would be determined to seek revenge on Potter's killer, but he wanted to see this. This was the moment his work had been leading up to.
"Harry!" Malfoy pushed Potter hard to the left, and for a moment Thorfinn thought he was going to sacrifice his life for his partner. He didn't. Instead, he followed Potter right on down, landing with a grunt. The curse sailed over their heads, and Thorfinn growled.
He had to run, now. Neither of the two wizards would let this attack on them go, and Thorfinn wasn't going to die with his task uncompleted.
Apparition was uncomfortable for him, but it was the quickest way to get from the Forbidden Forest to Thorfinn's little flat. With a sharp crack he disapparted, reappearing in the Hog's Head pub in Hogsmeade. From there he left for his flat, another quick Apparition away.
As soon as Thorfinn returned to his flat, he began looking for Potter and Malfoy on the viewing scope. They weren't in either of their homes, which Thorfinn took to mean that Malfoy had returned them to the Auror offices. Indeed, that was where he had found the two of them.
"Harry," Malfoy looked slightly desperate, as if he was afraid of what would happen to Potter. Thorfinn thought that Malfoy should be worried about Potter. They looked to be close. "Someone tried to kill you." Malfoy obviously noticed the rebellious look on Potter's face. "They were after you. Nothing happened until after I had moved out of the way. You need to go somewhere safe. I know about the wards on your flat. They are next to useless against anyone who actually knows what they are doing."
"Some of us don't want wards that will kill anyone who dares to get close without permission. Anyway, how could they have been after me? That wasn't exactly a planned outing. It's more likely that it was someone trying to take advantage of an opportunity. After all, the Forbidden Forest is a rather good place to hide if you don't want it known you're alive."
"So there is someone who is willing to, without thought or hesitation, kill you? Even if they were just seizing the opportunity, I think they would be pretty dangerous, don't you? Come stay at mine tonight. We can go pick up what you need at your flat, and you can sleep in my guest room."
Thorfinn had to admit, he hadn't expected Malfoy to be so blunt about his desire to protect Potter. It was not how the Malfoy boy had been raised, nor how he had behaved during the War. Though, in the interest of fairness, most of the time he had been cowering behind his parents, hoping no one would notice him.
"You don't actually want me in your home, Draco. You hate it when your mother comes to visit you."
"Your presence in my flat will irritate me to no end. However, having to locate a new partner, when I know perfectly well that most Aurors don't even want me here, would be far worse. Therefore, you shall stay with me, until we manage to take care of this new madman who wants to kill you."
Potter grinned broadly. "Last I heard, you are not my mum."
"No, but I am your partner. I am also charged with your safety. You are coming to mine, where at least there are working protections, or," Malfoy offered a cruel grin, "you are going to stay the night at Malfoy Manor. Again, I can be certain that there you will be protected."
"Not if you father does me in. He would, too." Draco nodded.
"But I would know where to look for your killer. So you would die knowing you would be avenged." Potter would clearly be perfectly safe at Malfoy Manor. Malfoy must have gotten his parents to subdue their hostilities for Potter.
"I really don't think I would have any problems if I returned to my flat. . ." Thorfinn grinned. Malfoy would have no idea that Potter was right. Thorfinn had no intention of killing Potter in his home. Killing Harry Potter in his modest London flat would not have the effect Thorfinn wanted from Potter's death.
"I don't care what you think. I will Floo my parents and tell them to be expecting your arrival tonight."
"No! You might think I was kidding about your father, but I wasn't. He really hates me, Draco. I can't very well go stay the night at his house." Draco shrugged.
"Why not? His house is safer than your flat, and you have the protection of him knowing I would be very put out if he killed you. Back to the issue of having to find a new partner."
"I'll stay at your's. Just don't make me room with Lucius Malfoy!" Malfoy smirked. Thorfinn wondered if he had ever intended to send Potter to Malfoy Manor. It wouldn't have been surprising if he had, Malfoy had always been rather used to getting his way.
"Good. Now, let's write up today's little adventure and we can go get your things from your flat." Potter nodded resignedly.
Thorfinn left the viewing scope, again amplifying the sounds so he could hear if Potter or Malfoy came up with another detour that would align them with Thorfinn's plans.
As the two men left the Auror's offices that evening, Thorfinn considered moving the setting on the viewing scope to watch as they gathered what they would need from Potter's flat and returned to Malfoy's. After some thought, Thorfinn decided that, after Potter's close call in the forest, it was unlikely they would plan another outing too soon. It would likely be safe enough for Thorfinn to take this opportunity to sleep for a few hours.
